Edward Steichen

Definition

Edward Steichen was an influential American photographer and painter, known for his significant contributions to the fields of photography, particularly in documentary and fashion photography. He played a vital role in elevating photography as an art form, serving as a curator for the Museum of Modern Art and creating iconic exhibitions that showcased the power of imagery in conveying complex narratives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Edward Steichen was born in Luxembourg in 1879 and moved to the United States with his family at a young age, where he eventually became a prominent figure in the art world.
2. He is credited with co-founding the influential Photo-Secession movement, which aimed to promote photography as a legitimate art form.
3. Steichen's work includes a vast array of subjects, from intimate portraits to grand fashion photography for magazines like Vogue and Vanity Fair during the early 20th century.
4. His 1955 exhibition 'The Family of Man' featured over 500 photographs from 68 countries and has been seen by millions, leaving a lasting impact on visual culture and human rights awareness.
5. Steichen also served as the chief photographer for the U.S. Army during World War I, capturing significant moments and enhancing the role of photography in documenting history.

Review Questions

• How did Edward Steichen's early work influence the perception of photography as an art form?
  • Edward Steichen's early work played a crucial role in changing how photography was viewed by challenging conventional ideas about artistic expression. By co-founding the Photo-Secession movement, he advocated for photography to be seen alongside traditional art forms like painting and sculpture. His innovative techniques and artistic vision allowed him to create images that were not just documents but also emotional and aesthetic experiences, influencing future generations of photographers.
• Discuss the significance of 'The Family of Man' exhibition organized by Edward Steichen and its impact on documentary photography.
  • 'The Family of Man' is considered one of the most significant photographic exhibitions ever created, organized by Edward Steichen in 1955. It presented a powerful narrative through images that highlighted universal themes such as love, struggle, and resilience across different cultures. This exhibition not only popularized documentary photography but also reinforced its role as a medium for social commentary and global understanding, inspiring photographers to explore and document diverse human experiences.
• Evaluate Edward Steichen's contributions to both commercial and documentary photography and how they shaped modern visual culture.
  • Edward Steichen made substantial contributions to both commercial and documentary photography, bridging the gap between art and commerce while advocating for deeper storytelling through images. His work in fashion photography helped define modern advertising aesthetics, while his documentary projects addressed serious social issues. This duality allowed him to influence visual culture significantly, pushing boundaries on what photography could achieve—both as an artistic expression and as a tool for social change.

Related terms

The Family of Man: A landmark photography exhibition organized by Steichen in 1955, showcasing human experiences through images from around the world, emphasizing commonalities among different cultures.

Pictorialism: An artistic movement in photography that sought to create images with a painterly quality, which Steichen was initially associated with before transitioning to modernist styles.

Photojournalism: A genre of journalism that uses images to tell news stories, which Steichen embraced and expanded through his work in documenting major events and human conditions.