After the Theater, London England, 20th century

After the Theater, London

1934

Bill Brandt

(British, 1904–1983)

England, 20th century

gelatin silver print

Image: 23 x 19.7 cm (9 1/16 x 7 3/4 in.); Paper: 23.5 x 20.3 cm (9 1/4 x 8 in.); Matted: 45.7 x 35.6 cm (18 x 14 in.)

John L. Severance Fund 1986.187

Location: not on view

This artwork is known to be under copyright.

Description

During a career that spanned some 50 years, Bill Brandt created a remarkably varied body of work that made him the most important 20th-century British photographer. After the Theatre, London initially appeared in his first book, The English at Home (1936). Using a flash, Brandt created an otherworldly scene of a starkly illuminated taxicab and its tuxedoed passenger, the artist's brother. Although the image is documentary in style, it was meticulously staged by the photographer. Brandt sometimes made preparatory drawings for his photographs, and he often pressed family members and friends into service as models.