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Edward Steichen 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
Three Pears and an Apple, France

Three Pears and an Apple, France

By Edward Steichen

Located in New York, NY

Three Pears and an Apple, France, c. 1921: The Early Years 1900-1927, 1981 photogravure on BFK Rives Paper image size: 13 x 10 inches paper size: 20 x 15 1/4 inches Edition of 500

Category

1920s Edward Steichen Photography

Materials

Photogravure

Edward Steichen – Fred Astaire, 1927 –
Edward Steichen – Fred Astaire, 1927 –

Edward Steichen – Fred Astaire, 1927 –

By Edward Steichen

Located in Cologne, DE

Edward Steichen – Fred Astaire, 1927 – This iconic portrait of legendary entertainer Fred Astaire was taken in 1927 by Edward Steichen, one of the most influential photographers of ...

Category

1920s Modern Edward Steichen Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Leslie Howard
Leslie Howard

Leslie Howard

By Edward Steichen

Located in New York, NY

c. 1930 Unsigned Gelatin silver print 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm) This artwork is offered by CLAMP, New York.

Category

1930s Edward Steichen Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photography

Gary Cooper

Gary Cooper

By Edward Steichen

Located in New York, NY

Unsigned Gelatin silver print 11 x 14 inches (27.9 x 35.6 cm) This artwork is offered by CLAMP, New York.

Category

1930s Edward Steichen Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Photography

George Washington Bridge, New York, 1931

George Washington Bridge, New York, 1931

By Edward Steichen

Located in New York, NY

Titled in ink with ‘Photograph by Steichen, 139 East 69th Street, New York City' studio stamp on the reverse of the accompanying paper mount

Category

1930s Edward Steichen Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

John Barrymore as Hamlet

John Barrymore as Hamlet

By Edward Steichen

Located in Westwood, NJ

Printed, signed late 90's by George Tice.

Category

1920s Contemporary Edward Steichen Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Katherine Cornell

Katherine Cornell

By Edward Steichen

Located in Westwood, NJ

Printed, signed late 90's by George Tice.

Category

1930s Contemporary Edward Steichen Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Martha Graham #4, NY

Martha Graham #4, NY

By Edward Steichen

Located in Westwood, NJ

These selenium toned silver gelatin prints are the photographs of Edward Steichen, printed by the renowned photographer George Tice. Tice was the last person to print for Steichen i...

Category

Early 20th Century Contemporary Edward Steichen Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Greta Garbo, Hollywood

Greta Garbo, Hollywood

By Edward Steichen

Located in New York, NY

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 Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Greta Garbo, Hollywood

Greta Garbo, Hollywood

By Edward Steichen

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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 Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Stieglitz and Kitty, New York, 1904

Stieglitz and Kitty, New York, 1904

By Edward Steichen

Located in Westwood, NJ

These selenium toned silver gelatin prints are the photographs of Edward Steichen, printed by the renowned photographer George Tice. Tice was the last person to print for Steichen i...

Category

Early 20th Century Contemporary Edward Steichen Photography

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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Previously Available Items
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Portrait of Alfred Stieglitz

Portrait of Alfred Stieglitz

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Located in New York, NY

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1910s Aesthetic Movement Edward Steichen Photography

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20th Century Contemporary Edward Steichen Photography

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1920s Contemporary Edward Steichen Photography

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Torso, Paris

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Early 1900s Edward Steichen Photography

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Heavy Roses

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Wheelbarrow With Flower Pots

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Located in Palm Desert, CA

Silver gelatin print Edition 78/100 Provenance: General Electric Corporate Collection Heather James Fine Art

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Contemporary Edward Steichen Photography

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Sunday Night, 40th Street

By Edward Steichen

Located in Palm Desert, CA

Silver gelatin print Edition 78/100 Provenance: General Electric Corporate Collection Heather James Fine Art

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Venerable Tree Trunk

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Edward Steichen photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Edward Steichen photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Edward Steichen in silver gelatin print, archival pigment print, intaglio 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 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, Michael O'Brien, and Robert Mack. Edward Steichen photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $750 and tops out at $15,000, while the average work can sell for $6,000.