Edward J. Steichen (1879-1973), a luminary in the genesis of American photography, distinguished himself as a true trailblazer, imprinting an enduring legacy on the medium’s evolution. Recognized for his pivotal role in the emergence of the Pictorialist movement, Steichen's photographs showcase a virtuoso command over the interplay of light and shadow. His early work is characterized by painterly aesthetics aimed at creating ethereal, atmospheric photographs through soft dilution. As his career progressed, he transitioned into a highly stylized focus, particularly notable in his foray into commercial photography. Steichen’s ability to infuse each style with his distinctive vision solidifies his position as a pioneer in the realm of photography.
Born in Luxembourg, Steichen embarked on his photographic journey at 16, apprenticing at a lithographic firm before fully immersing himself in photography in 1896. A turning point came when his work was exhibited in a Chicago salon, leading to his introduction to Alfred Stieglitz, who became his mentor. Joining Stieglitz in Paris exposed him to the formalist worlds of sculpture and painting, influencing his work profoundly. By 1902, after returning from Paris, Steichen contributed to 291 Gallery and Camera Work, publishing works from his peers in Photo-Secession. Exhibitions of his avant-garde style, including “The Flatiron,” “In Memoriam,” and “Rodin–The Thinker,” marked his early prominence. His career diversified during World War I when he engaged in Aerial photography during WWI. in 1923, Steichen assumed the role of chief photographer at Condé Nast Vogue and Vanity Fair, where he seamlessly blended celebrity editorial, commercial, and advertisement photography methods, forging a genre uniquely his own. In 1947, he became the head of the photography department at the Museum of Modern Art where he directed numerous shows, notable curating “The Family of Man” (1955), “Road to Victory” (1942), “In and Out of Focus” (1948), and “Postwar European Photography” (1953).
His work has been the highlight of several prominent exhibitions such as “Edward Steichen: The Early Years” (ICP, 1973), “Edward Steichen: Lives in Photography” (2000), and “Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, The Conde Nast Years, 1923-1937” (2007). His accolades include the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1963), Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (1955), Gold Medal for Distinguished Service to Photography from the Photographic Society of America (1958), Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Magazine Photographers (1965), and International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum (1984).
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Edward SteichenBrancusi in his StudioGelatin silver print, printed c. 198213 1/2 x 10 1/2 in (34.3 x 26.7 cm)
Mount: 16 x 20 in -
Edward SteichenThe Young Photographer (Self-Portrait), Milwaukee, 1898Silver bromoil print, printed c. 18984 3/4 x 5 1/2 in. (12.07 x 13.97 cm)
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Edward SteichenThe Big White Cloud, Lake George, 1903Gelatin silver print, printed c. 1960s11 x 14 in (27.94 x 35.56 cm)
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Edward SteichenAfter the Races, 1905Gelatin silver print, printed c. 1960s10 x 8 in (25.4 x 20.3 cm)
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Edward SteichenNude, 1905Gelatin silver print, printed later10 x 8 in (25.4 x 20.32 cm)
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Edward SteichenGeorge Bernard Shaw, London, 1907Color half-tone20 x 16 in.
50.8 x 40.64 x 0.0 cm -
Edward SteichenBalzac, 1908Gelatin silver print mounted to board, printed c. 1960s14 x 11 in. (35.56 x 27.94 cm)
Mount: 17 X 14 in. -
Edward SteichenRodin's 'Balzac', Meudon, France, 1908Gelatin silver print mounted to board7 3/8 x 8 3/8 in.
18.73 x 21.27 x 0.0 cm -
Edward SteichenIsadora Duncan - Columns of the Parthenon, 1921Palladium print, printed c. 19219 1/8 x 6 1/2 in (23.2 x 16.5 cm)
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Edward SteichenThree Pears and an Apple, 1921Gelatin silver print1, printed c. 1960s10 x 8 in. (25.4 x 20.32 cm.)
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Edward SteichenTriumph of the Egg, 1921Palladium contact print in two-color process on matte surface paper, printed c. 19219 1/2 x 7 5/8 in (24.13 x 19.37 cm)
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Edward SteichenFlower Pots, 1925Gelatin silver print, printed 1950s8 x 10 in.
20.32 x 25.4 x 0.0 cm -
Edward SteichenMăiastra in Edward Steichen's garden in Voulangis, 1926Gelatin silver print, printed c. 19264 1/2 x 3 7/16 in (11.43 x 8.73 cm)
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Edward SteichenUntitled (Flower), 1927Gelatin silver print, printed c. 1960s10 x 8 in (25.4 x 20.32 cm)
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Edward SteichenUntitled, 1936Gelatin silver print14 x 11 in. (35.56 x 27.94 cm)
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Edward SteichenFriends, Romans and Countrymen, c. 1920Palladium print8 x 9 7/8 in (20.3 x 25.1 cm)
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Edward SteichenAlfred Stieglitz and Kitty, n.d.Gelatin silver print14 x 11 in. (35.56 x 27.94 cm)
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Edward SteichenTime-Space Continuum, n.d.Gelatin silver print, printed later10 x 8 in (25.4 x 20.32 cm)
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Edward SteichenUntitled, n.d.Gelatin silver print, printed 1960s10 x 8 in (25.4 x 20.32 cm)
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Paris Photo
9 - 12 Nov 2023For this year’s Paris Photo fair, Bruce Silverstein Gallery will be featuring the works of two Native American artists, Sarah Sense and Dakota Mace. Sense,...Read more -
The Photography Show Presented by AIPAD
415 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10016 31 Mar - 2 Apr 2023From March 31 - April 2, 2023, Bruce Silverstein Gallery will be exhibiting at The Photography Show presented by AIPAD in Booth # 108; showcasing...Read more -
Paris Photo
7 - 10 Nov 2019Works by: Diane Arbus, Eugene Atget, Bill Brandt, Anne Brigman, Harry Callahan, Imogen Cunningham, Louis Draper, Frantisek Drtikol, Elger Esser, Robert Frank, Lee Friedlander, Jaromir...Read more -
AIPAD
4 - 7 Apr 2019Featured artists: Lewis Baltz, Ilse Bing, Constantin Brâncuși, Bill Brandt, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Imogen Cunningham, F. Holland Day, Frantisek Drtikol, Pierre Dubreuil, Walker...Read more -
The Photography Show
Presented by AIPAD 5 - 8 Apr 2018Featured Artists: Werner Bischof, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Constantin Brâncuși, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Mark Cohen, Elliot Erwitt, Walker Evans, Mishka Henner, Todd Hido, André Kertész, Dorthea Lange,...Read more -
Paris Photo
9 - 12 Nov 2017Featured artists: Bill Brandt, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Constantin Brâncusi, Harry Callahan, Henri Cartier Bresson, F. Holland Day, František Drtikol, Elliot Erwitt, Eric Fischl, Mishka Henner,...Read more -
Frieze Masters
5 - 8 Oct 2017Featured artists: Brassaï, Constantin Brâncusi, Harry Callahan, F. Holland Day, František Drtikol, André Kertész, Alfred Leslie, Rene Magritte, Henry Moore, Barbara Morgan, Man Ray, Aaron...Read more -
Frieze Masters
6 - 9 Oct 2016Featured artists: Constantin Brancusi, Marie Cosindas, F. Holland Day, André Kertész, Alfred Leslie, László Moholy-Nagy, Paul Outerbridge, Irving Penn, Man Ray, Alexander Rodchenko, Aaron Siskind,...Read more -
AIPAD
14 - 16 Apr 2016At the 2016 AIPAD Photography Show, Bruce Silverstein Gallery is proud to present Triumph of the Egg , featuring works of the same title by...Read more -
Frieze Masters
14 - 18 Oct 2015The gallery is pleased to present a selection of modern photographic masterpieces at Frieze Masters in London from October 14 to 18, 2015. Artists include...Read more