"The arts equally have distinct departments, and unless photography has its own possibilities of expression, separate from those of the other arts, it is merely a process, not an art." Alfred Stieglitz
The Richmond Times Dispatch recently ran an Associated Press article about an upcoming exhibit of images by Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1964). The article primarily focuses on the exhibit in New York City. While Stieglitz is considered one of the masters of photography, there is much more to the story of his life. Stieglitz was also an inventor, author, collector, patron, and owner of art galleries. Most importantly, he was a tireless promoter of photography as an art form.
In the early 1900s, many considered photography more as a process than an art form. It did not have the elevated status as painting or sculpture. In 1902, General de Cesnola, the founder of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, scoffed at Stieglitz's suggestion of considering a photograph as a piece of art. It wasn't until 1928 that the Metropolitan exhibited a collection of photographs as art! All of the photographs were pieces Stieglitz had collected over the years.
Stieglitz published and edited three different photography magazines. In each, he showcased the best photographers of his day. He was meticulous in using the latest reproduction and printing techniques in order to best display the images. Stieglitz also owned three different galleries in which photographs were prominently displayed with other forms of art, including works by Rodin, Picasso, and Matisse. In later years, he focused primarily on American artists. In fact, he was one of the first to champion the works of Ansel Adams and Georgia O'Keeffe (who later became his second wife).
So, while he was an accomplished photographer, he is much more known for his contribution to the visual arts. Many consider him one of the most important figures in the history of American art. As a photographer today, I must applaud Stieglitz's tireless effort!
For a sample of his photography, below are two hyper-links.
George Eastman House
Metropolitan Museum
