"Edward Steichen: Portraits"

Business Wire, April 10, 2008

Open at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery April 11--Sept. 1

WASHINGTON -- "Edward Steichen: Portraits" examines two distinct portrait styles of Edward Steichen (1879-1973): the soft-focus images from his early years in photography, and the bold, modern images from his time at Vanity Fair magazine. The exhibition is drawn exclusively from the National Portrait Gallery's collection and features 50 original prints, most of which date from the period of Steichen's association with the magazine. The exhibition will be on view at the Portrait Gallery April 11 through Sept. 1.

The first group of Steichen portraits are expressive images from the photographer's years as a leader of the pictorialist movement, which sought to elevate photography to an art form. At this time Steichen's work reflected his background as a painter. In 1923, Steichen was offered an astounding $35,000 per year--when the average annual salary in the United States was less than $1,500--to be the chief photographer for Conde Nast Publications, which included Vanity Fair. During Steichen's years with the magazine (1923-1936), his photographs became bold, geometric constructions that played with shadow and light.

"Edward Steichen paved the way for modern celebrity photography," said Carolyn K. Carr, acting director of the National Portrait Gallery. "Much of the celebrity portraiture we see today pays homage to the style he developed at Vanity Fair."

Steichen's modern images captured the public's imagination and fueled America's growing fascination with celebrities. Included in the exhibition are iconic portraits of Fred Astaire, Willa Cather, Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford, Walt Disney, Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, George Gershwin, Paul Robeson and Frank Lloyd Wright.

The curator of the exhibition is Ann M. Shumard, curator of photographs at the National Portrait Gallery.

National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery tells the stories of America through the individuals who have shaped its culture. Through the visual arts, performing arts and new media, the Portrait Gallery portrays poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists who speak American history.

The National Portrait Gallery opened to the public in 1968. The museum's collection of nearly 20,000 works includes paintings, sculpture, photographs, drawings and new media. Located at Eighth and F streets N.W., Washington, D.C., it is open every day, except Dec. 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Smithsonian information: (202) 633-1000; (202) 633-5285 (TTY). Web site: www.npg.si.edu.

Note to editors: High-resolution images are available from the National Portrait Gallery's ftp site. Call (202) 633-8295 or e-mail hahnj@si.edu for information to access the site.