Luxembourg Photo Exhibit
Museum Focuses on Edward Steichen, Pioneer of Color Photography
Edward Steichen, a native of Luxembourg who became an American citizen in 1900, brought the concept of color photography to life.
As a pioneer of the field of photography, Edward Steichen introduced color to a previously gray world. In 1903, a couple of French brothers named Louis and August Lumiere invented autochrome, which was the first successful process for color photography, but it was Steichen who introduced the process to the United States.
From now until Sept. 3, the Musee d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean, Mudam Luxembourg will host an exhibition of the Steichen’s work, including two photographs that have never before been exhibited. Bloom! Experiments in Color Photography by Edward Steichen explores the artist’s understanding and taste in color, his experiments with images along with his interest in flower hybrids. For in addition to photography, Steichen was a horticulturist who worked to create the perfect species by experimenting with flowers from his garden, delphiniums, in particular.
Born in Bivange, Luxembourg in 1879, Steichen emigrated to the U.S. with his family when he was quite young. By the turn of the century, he had become a naturalized American citizen as well as an accomplished fine art painter. But photography would become his true passion and encompass most of his life’s work.
Along with Alfred Stieglitz, Steichen aided in the creation of the Little Galleries of the Photo-Secession in 1905. During World War I, he headed up the photographic unit of the American Expeditionary Forces. Afterward, he went back to straight photography and eventually moved into the world of fashion. A photo of Greta Garbo that he took in 1938 appeared on the cover of Life magazine in January of 1955 and became one of the definitive portraits of the actress.
Although most of his work centered around still photography, he directed a documentary about World War II titled “The Fighting Lady," which won a 1945 Academy Award for Best Documentary. After WWII, he worked at the Museum of Modern Art in New York as the Director of Photography. During his tenure there, Steichen created a huge exhibition of more than 500 photographs that covered life, love and death in dozens of countries. The Family Man in 1955 was later donated to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and is now permanently houses in Clervaux, Luxembourg, per Steichen’s wishes.
Nearly 33 years after his death in 1973, a copy of one of his earliest photographs, The Pond-Moonlight from 1904, sold for $2.9 million at an auction. It was the highest price ever paid for a photograph at an auction.
According to the museum’s Web site, the current exhibition of Steichen’s work offers a fresh perspective on the themes of landscape, still life and portrait. “In the figure of Edward Steichen, a 19th century romantic working passionately with 20th century methods and technology, complete artistic freedom and scientific methodology come to meet,” the site says.
The Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean is located at 3, Park Dräi Eechelen in Luxembourg. It is closed on Tuesdays and open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. all other days, until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. Admission is 5 euros (about $7USD).
