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Edward Steichen Portrait Photography

American, 1879-1973

Though he began his artistic career as a painter, training at the Académie Julian in Paris, Edward Steichen is also known for his role in revolutionizing photography from a commercial tool into an artistic medium. 

Famed artist and gallerist Alfred Stieglitz often featured Steichen’s artwork in the magazine Camera Work, published from 1903 to 1917 as photography gained popularity. Over the years, Steichen served as the chief photographer for Vogue and Vanity Fair as well as the Director of Photography at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. 

Steichen’s dramatic, highly stylized compositions and curatorial eye catapulted photography into greater prestige. An art critic quipped in 1905: "One should not say that he recalls Rembrandt but rather, at this rate, that Rembrandt will, in time, remind us of Steichen."

As Steichen shifted his artistic focus to photography, he destroyed nearly all of his painted compositions. Beethoven represents one of the very few surviving paintings and is considered his most remarkable.

Simultaneously realistic and symbolic, Beethoven reflects Steichen’s unmistakable talent for composition, balance and hue. He completed the painting in 1902, immediately receiving critical praise for its commanding nature. Beethoven was hung prominently beside his photos at Steichen’s first solo show in June 1902 at La Maison des Artistes. The artwork was then proudly exhibited at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904, and later at the "National Arts Club Special Exhibition of Contemporary Art" in 1908.

Find original Edward Steichen photography and other art on 1stDibs.

(Biography provided by M.S. Rau)

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Artist: Edward Steichen
Eugene ONeill

Eugene ONeill

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Silver gelatin print Provenance: General Electric Corporate Collection Heather James Fine Art

Category

20th Century Contemporary Edward Steichen Portrait Photography

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Silver Gelatin

Greta Garbo, Hollywood

Greta Garbo, Hollywood

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In his autobiography, A Life in Photography, Steichen gave a vivid recount of this sitting: 'When Garbo came in to pose for the Vanity Fair photograph, I asked her to sit on the c...

Category

1920s Edward Steichen Portrait Photography

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Greta Garbo, Hollywood

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In his autobiography, A Life in Photography, Steichen gave a vivid recount of this sitting: 'When Garbo came in to pose for the Vanity Fair photograph, I asked her to sit on the c...

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First Cast of Brancusi's "Bird in Space"

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Early 20th Century Contemporary Edward Steichen Portrait Photography

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Edward Steichen portrait photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Edward Steichen portrait photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Edward Steichen in silver gelatin print, intaglio, photogravure and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Edward Steichen portrait photography, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Silvia Lareo-Vazquez, Neal Slavin, and Julie Blackmon. Edward Steichen portrait photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,000 and tops out at $15,000, while the average work can sell for $8,500.