Stieglitz: The Godfather of Photography

Writing two weeks ago about Mabel Dodge Luhan (Archives:January, 2011) and last week about Pamela Colman Smith made me think more about the role of Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1946) in that early Modern era.

Based on receiving many a quizzical look when I mention Stieglitz, I'd have to say that unless you are a historian of art and photography, his fame seems to be diminishing. It's hard to know why since he was so good at his profession. Furthermore, it was Stieglitz who was largely responsible for the promotion of photography as an art form.

You see, photography was to the late 19th and early 20th centuries what digital art is to the 21st century. The question was and is: Is it an art form or manipulation of something that was invented by someone else? Stiegltiz answered the question by placing photography alongside paintings in his New York galleries.

Stieglitz elevated photography to a accepted medium of fine art. He was also a tireless promoter who influenced photographers, sculptors and painters - including his own wife, Georgia O' Keeffe.

Insofar as his own talent in concerned, here are a sampling of photos taken by him. (Please click on image to enlarge.) It seems that these alone would be cause to remember him. (The hands are those of his wife, Georgia O' Keeffe.)

Pamela Colman Smith: You've Probably Seen Her Art

Perhaps you've heard of Alfred Stieglitz.(1864-1946) He was a famous late 19th-early 20th century photographer. He owned a renowned New York gallery to exhibit his and other artists' work. He was also the mentor and husband of Georgia O'Keeffe.

While Stieglitz was personally interested in photography, he recognized brilliance in other media. He cared little about gender and encouraged talented men and women. As a matter of fact, there's a traveling exhibit titled, "Women of the Stieglitz Circle"

The exhibit features works by Georgia O' Keeffe as well as 5 other women painters and photographers. Among the featured painters is Pamela "Pixie" Colman Smith. (1878-1951)

Ms. Smith's artistic style was very popular. In 1907, Stieglitz featured her work at his gallery and nearly every piece sold. So, how did such an artist slip into obscurity? Perhaps she didn't. Perhaps many of us have seen her work - even handled it - and didn't know it was created by Pamela Colman Smith.

First, a little background. She was born and raised in England. By 1909, she was back in her native land and used a small inheritance to buy a cottage in Cornwall. She never married. She continued to take illustration commissions and to send art to Stieglitz for sale at his gallery.

She wrote Stieglitz a letter in November, 1909. In part, this is what she wrote:

I've just finished a big job for very little cash! A set of designs for a deck of Tarot cards. 80 designs.

The illustrations that Smith created are still in use on those cards today. The deck is the "Rider-Waite" Tarot deck. Also called the "Waite-Smith" or "Waite-Colman Smith" deck.

Now you know.