Photography
Edward Steichen, "Bryant Park Breadline, New York," 1933, printed later
- Item Number
- 19
- Number of Bids
- 1 - Bid History
Item Description
Edward Steichen (American, b. Luxembourg, 1879-1973)
Bryant Park Breadline, New York, 1933, printed 1984–86
Printer: George Tice (American, b. 1938)
Gelatin silver print
Image: 13 x 10 inches on 20 x 16 inch mount
Edition: 34/100
Signed by George Tice, printer, and Joanna T. Steichen, executor, in ink on credit label on reverse of mount
This birds-eye view of a Depression-era breadline was probably made by Edward Steichen from his Bryant Park Studio apartment on West 40th Street in Manhattan. It stands in stark contrast to his work as chief photographer for Condé Nast Publications, where his portraits in Vogue and Vanity Fair epitomized glamour and the allure of celebrity.
Interestingly, Steichen was born into a Milwaukee family with socialist leanings and his political conscience never entirely left his picturemaking. During World War I, Steichen first joined the Signal Corps but was then transferred to the US Army Expeditionary Forces Air Service as commander of the photographic division (1917–19). In the next World War, he was placed in command of all naval combat photography.
Later, as director of the department of photography at MOMA, he organized The Family of Man (1955), a grand thematic project that he hoped would advance the cause of world peace.
About George Tice, Steichen’s Printer
George Tice, a master printer and fine photographer, credits Steichen with launching his career by acquiring some of his prints for the MoMA collection. Tice was also the last person to print for Steichen in his lifetime. After Steichen’s death in 1973, Tice continued to work on Steichen projects with his widow Joanna, including several portfolios made from original negatives.
Breadline shows us not only Steichen’s genius but Tice’s formidable talents as a master printer.
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