The Fine Art of Family Magazine

Whenever you find yourself behind the lens, how often is it aimed at a relative, a friend or, perhaps, a lover? It is not unusual to use the camera as an instrument of expressing love and affection. People have been featuring their dearest companions as the subject of their art for centuries.

It goes back to the 19th Century, when Julia Margaret Cameron photographed her family and friends almost exclusively, producing some of the most eloquent portraits of that period. This tradition continued into the 20th century with many famous photographers focusing specifically on their wives as a muse throughout their work. The list is long and includes such greats as Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, Paul Strand, Harry Callahan, Robert Frank, and Ralph Eugene Meatyard.

So many people photograph someone they love, especially in the beginning, during the early stages of romance and courtship. The camera comes in between as something to bring them closer. When you think about it, it’s the most natural thing in the world for a man or a woman to photograph the person they adore. You see amateurs do it. You, yourself, have probably done it. I know I have. Why should the country’s most famous photographers be any different?

Among the most well-known images of a wife are that of artist Georgia O’Keefe created by her husband Alfred Stieglitz around the 1920′s. One of my favorites is renowned and well-published, but typically not the first image that comes to mind for most when considering his best portrayal of her.

It’s a black-and-white photograph of her hands.

For me it is one of the most extraordinary, expressive, interesting and beautiful photographs ever made. It helps us remember that sometimes a detail can express a whole in the most perfect way with all its complexities and all that you might imagine. I invite you and everybody to take a closer look this picture and you’ll see what I mean.

Also wonderful were the images by photographer Harry Callahan of his favorite subject: His wife, Eleanor. She, and occasionally their children, permeated his work for most of the 40′s, 50′s and 60′s. Some of his most beautiful and sought-after photographs are portraits of his beloved Eleanor. He photographed her enough to publish a monograph titled Harry Callahan: Eleanor some years ago.

Robert Frank may be the most important photographer of all when it comes to family. His first wife, Mary, and their children, Pablo and Andrea, are seen in his work right from the very beginning in the 1950′s. They were involved in everything–in his body of work, in his travels, even in his way of seeing things, especially America at the time. What is being portrayed by his family goes beyond just an expression of affection. It becomes more symbolic. You can easily find their familiar faces scattered throughout The Americans–one of the greatest photography books of the 20th century and currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (until January 3rd, 2010).

There are so many wonderful examples and stories of the family and wife as a muse–so much that a terrific book titled The Model Wife was published as a great commemorative compilation of this work. It includes several other photographers in addition to those I’ve already mentioned. If you can get your hands on a copy, I think you will find it to be an enjoyable exploration of this great theme.

About Out Expert: Howard Greenberg, the owner of the New York City-based Howard Greenberg Gallery, is one of the world’s top photography dealers. He is an authority on 19th and 20th century photography and has a matchless collection of more than 20,000 photographs from some of the art world’s biggest names. He currently sits on the advisory board of the Center for Photography at Woodstock in New York.

Published on November 16, 2009

Tags: Celebrating, Our Experts, Photography