Berenice Abbott, 1898-1991Designer's Window, Bleecker Street1947
1947
About the Item
- Creator:Berenice Abbott, 1898-1991 (1898-1991, American)
- Creation Year:1947
- Dimensions:Height: 9.75 in (24.77 cm)Width: 7.75 in (19.69 cm)
- Medium:
- Period:
- Condition:The print includes the matting which measures 20"x16"; Print is rippled. Minor creases lower right quadrant. Small chips all edges. Lower right corner repaired. Upper left quadrant obvious spotting. Trim at bottom and left, hand trimmed.
- Gallery Location:Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: G121004115380
Berenice Abbott, 1898-1991
While photographer Berenice Abbott has wrongly never been heralded as one of the defining giants of 20th-century photography, she is widely known, indeed celebrated, for her iconic portraits of some of the most glamorous denizens of 1920s bohemian Paris.
And although less familiar, Abbott’s photos of the deserted streets, aging tenements and rising office towers of Depression-era New York have been critically recognized as nothing short of groundbreaking. Additionally, her relatively obscure work as a science photographer has received an admiring reappraisal in recent years. Recognized for having dramatically advanced the medium’s aesthetics and techniques (earning four patents along the way), not to mention the ambition of her subject matter — the principle laws of physics — she has been favorably compared to two early masters of modernist experimentation: her mentor Man Ray and László Moholy Nagy.
In 1918, at just 19, freckled, androgynous and with cropped hair, Abbott fell in with a crowd that included the lesbian writer and illustrator Djuna Barnes and the Dadaists Man Ray and Marcel Duchamp. They encouraged her to follow them to Paris and study with the renowned sculptor Antoine Bourdelle. Unable to pay for her training, and barely surviving, Abbott took a job as Man Ray’s assistant. The miracles of the darkroom quickly converted her to photography, as did her paycheck, and Man Ray tutored her in its fundamentals.
By 1926, Abbott had set up her own studio with backing from Peggy Guggenheim, the American heiress and art patron. André Gide, Jean Cocteau, Janet Flanner and James Joyce were among the luminaries and socialites who came for sittings. Her subversive lens made for riveting portraits.
A number of Abbott’s images of New York appear to have been shot by drone or, in the technological equivalent for the day, a dirigible. They actually entailed her stationing herself precariously on the rooftops and ledges of the skyscrapers along Wall Street and Midtown.
That feat recalls the famous photograph of Abbott’s contemporary and fellow Ohioan Margaret Bourke-White taking a shot of the New York skyline astride one of the metallic eagle heads atop the Chrysler building. One can only wonder if a photograph of Abbott in a similarly heroic pose would have helped her recognition as the trailblazing documentarian she was.
Find Berenice Abbott photography on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Still Life with Mouse, New YorkBy Irving PennLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CASigned, titled, dated and copyrighted 1983 on back of print. Stamped, 'Signed silver print of this negative not exceeding' and 78 written in pencil on back of print. Annotated, 'Copy...Category
20th Century Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Pepper 30PBy Edward WestonLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CADirector, Glenn Lowry: This image of a pepper is one of Weston’s most iconic photographs. Assistant Curator, Esther Adler: Peppers often curve in on themselves and can kind of twist ...Category
1930s Still-life Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- 1S ShellBy Edward WestonLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAThe most iconic of the Weston shells, throughout 1927 he took twenty-six still life images of shells, including Nautilus 1927 (Museum of Modern Art, New York). His interest in nautil...Category
Early 20th Century Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Pepper 30PBy Edward WestonLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CADirector, Glenn Lowry: This image of a pepper is one of Weston’s most iconic photographs. Assistant Curator, Esther Adler: Peppers often curve in on themselves and can kind of twist ...Category
1930s Still-life Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- 2S ShellBy Edward WestonLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAWeston created 2S after his return to America from two extended stays in Mexico between 1923 and 1927. Throughout 1927 he took twenty-six still life images of shells, including Nauti...Category
1920s Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- 2S ShellBy Edward WestonLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAWeston created 2S after his return to America from two extended stays in Mexico between 1923 and 1927. Throughout 1927 he took twenty-six still life images of shells, including Nauti...Category
1920s Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Nautilus Shell, Ipswich, MA 1960By Paul CaponigroLocated in Santa Fe, NMPaul Caponigro, Nautilus Shell, Ipswich, Massachusetts, 1960 (Printed 1961). vintage gelatin silver print. 10 x 8", signed on mount recto.Category
Mid-20th Century Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Dried Sunflower, Winthrop MABy Paul CaponigroLocated in Santa Fe, NMPaul Caponigro, Dried Sunflower, Winthrop MA, 1965. 10 x 8". Vintage gelatin silver print. Signed mount recto.Category
Mid-20th Century Black and White Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Two Pears, Cushing MaineBy Paul CaponigroLocated in Santa Fe, NMPaul Caponigro, Two Pears, Cushing, ME, 1999. Signed on mount recto.Category
1990s Still-life Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Galaxy Apple, New York CityBy Paul CaponigroLocated in Santa Fe, NMPaul Caponigro. Galaxy Apple, New York City, 1964. Gelatin silver print. Signed on print mount recto.Category
Mid-20th Century Still-life Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Pinus Thunbergii - Japanese Black PineBy Jose PicayoLocated in Hudson, NYBlack and White, Trees, Botanical, Detail, bark, nature, forest, rustic, close, bark detail, B&W, Black and White photography, Jose Picayo, silver gelatin print, nature, outdoor List...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Still-life Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin
- Chamaecyparis nootkatensis Pendula - Weeping Alaskan Yellow CedarBy Jose PicayoLocated in Hudson, NYBlack and White, Trees, Botanical, Detail, bark, nature, forest, rustic, grass, plants, nature, trees, Jose Picayo, B&W, Black and White Photography, Silver Gelatin Print Listing is...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Still-life Photography
MaterialsSilver Gelatin