Edward Steichen: Lives in Photography [Hardcover]

Todd Brandow (Author), William A. Ewing (Author), Edward Steichen (Photographer)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393066266 | ISBN-13: 978-0393066265 | Publication Date: April 3, 2008

By far the most lavish, thoughtfully selected, and beautifully produced book of Steichen’s work.

Edward Steichen (1879-1973) is unquestionably one of the most prolific, influential, and indeed controversial names in the history of photography. He was admired by many for his achievements as a fine-art photographer, while impressing countless others with the force of his commercial accomplishments. The influence of his legendary exhibition, The Family of Man, is still felt. This volume traces Steichen’s career trajectory from his Pictoralist beginnings to his time with Condé Nast through his directorship of photography at the Museum of Modern Art. Hundreds of his photographs are reproduced in stunning four-color to reveal the complexities and nuances of these black-and-white images. Essays from a range of scholars explore his most important subjects and weigh his legacy. Contributors include A. D. Coleman, Joanna T. Steichen, and Ronald Gedrim. With a full bibliography and chronology, this is the most complete and wide-ranging volume on Steichen ever published. 250 tinted and four-color photographs

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. With his prodigious range, versatility and output, Edward Steichen casts a long shadow in 20th-century photography, and this lushly produced book assesses his legacy. Wending through Steichen's 70-year career, the book presents his early, impressionistic black-and-white nudes and portraits of luminaries such as Rodin as well as atmospheric still lives and editorial fashion shots for Vogue and Vanity Fair. Steichen experimented and excelled in every genre of photography and even his most commercial work shows more aesthetic consideration than product placement. The images are accompanied by insightful essays from a number of expert critics and curators, all of whom place Steichen in his proper context as one of the most influential and controversial artists of his time, alternately reviled as a parvenu and lauded as the Leonardo of photography. This book nimbly navigates divergent critical responses and brilliantly encapsulates the innovations and transformations of this pioneer of modern photography. (Apr.)
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About the Author

Todd Brandow is the founding director of the Foundation for the Exhibition of Photography. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and in Paris.

William A. Ewing is the curator and director of the Musée de l'Elysée, Lausanne. He lives in Switzerland.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (April 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393066266
• ISBN-13: 978-0393066265
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 10.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #658,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great art book to go along with the definitive biography, May 4, 2008

By 

A Connecticut Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edward Steichen: Lives in Photography (Hardcover)

Until now, it has been impossible to find an art book that complements the extensively researched biography of Edward Steichen written by Penelope Niven some ten years ago. "Edward Steichen: Lives in Photography" remedies this situation with brilliance and dash. It explores the work of this great American artist with lively and detailed precision, capturing the high exuberance of his work and his many-faceted personality in essays that are carefully dovetailed with the greatest photographs in Steichen's oeuvre. All elegantly printed with no costs spared. To learn more about the artist's long and fascinating life, purchase "Steichen: A Biography" by Penelope Niven. To understand his art, purchase "Lives in Photography." With these books on your library shelf, you will have a better idea of just why this great artist has such staying power.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just another retrospective, March 31, 2008

By 

Alex Lublin (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Edward Steichen: Lives in Photography (Hardcover)

Edward Steichen had a long (94 years) and storied life, however until now it was difficult to find a book that exhibited his work and gave a clear understanding of both his work and influence on: Art, Fashion, Marketing, War, Curating, Botany, and (of course) Photography. Through the text of this, rather large, book one can learn about an influential and very controversial (as most artists often are) man. Of course this book has numerous beautiful plates (Which is expected in the world of printing today). However, unlike many photo books this one is an interesting read. While, some of the writing may seem exuberantly adoring of Steichen, this can be easily understood after learning of his impact on the art world. After reading this book it is hard to believe that this is the first comprehensive book on Steichen since Steichen himself wrote "A life in photography" in 1963. Overall an excellent book for anyone interested in photography.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steichen the Master, April 28, 2008

By 

B. K. Wunder (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Edward Steichen: Lives in Photography (Hardcover)

Edward Steichen: Lives in Photography is a wondrous collection of some of the finest work by one of this nation's finest photographers. The images should prove inspirational to any who aspire to creating art with a camera. Steichen never succombed to the post-modern faux-artistry and its glorification of the bizarre and twisted. This book is simply fabulous.