Martha Graham

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Artist Edward Steichen (American, born Luxembourg, 1879–1973)American, born Luxembourg, 1879–1973

CultureAmerican

Titles

Martha Graham

Date1931

PlaceNew York, New York, United States

MediumGelatin silver print

DimensionsImage: 13 3/4 × 10 11/16 in. (34.9 × 27.2 cm)
Sheet: 13 7/8 × 10 7/8 in. (35.3 × 27.6 cm)

Credit LineBequest of the artist by direction of Joanna T. Steichen and George Eastman House

Object number82.89

Current Location

The Nancy and Rich Kinder Building

Gallery 208

On view

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Department

Photography

Object Type

PHOTOGRAPHS

DescriptionEdward Steichen’s portrait of Martha Graham represented a collaboration between two of the most significant modern artists of the early 20th century. Steichen was chief photographer for Condé Nast publications, including "Vogue" and "Vanity Fair," during the 1920s and 1930s, and became one of the era’s most accomplished portraitists. Martha Graham is among the most influential figures in modern dance, and her company trained many of the greatest dancers and choreographers of the 20th century. Steichen’s portrait of Graham utilized dramatic directional lighting to heighten the dancer’s movement and physical form beneath her costume.
Provenance Research Ongoing Exhibition History"Edward Steichen: Lives in Photography," Musée Jeu de paume, Paris, October 8–December 30, 2007; Musée de l'Elysée, Lausanne, Switzerland, January 18–March 30, 2008; Palazzo Magnani, Reggio Emilia, Italy, April 17–June 8, 2008; Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid, June 24–September 22, 2008.

"American Made: 250 Years of American Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston," The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, July 7, 2012–January 2, 2013.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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