The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 23, 2024

Brassaï

Brassaï

1973
(American, 1902–1984)
Image: 34.9 x 26.1 cm (13 3/4 x 10 1/4 in.); Matted: 55.9 x 45.7 cm (22 x 18 in.)
© Trustees of the Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust
Location: not on view

Description

Widely recognized as a master photographer of the natural landscape, Adams practiced unmanipulated, "straight" photography, incorporating a powerful sense of light, broad tonal range, and accuracy of detail and texture in all his work. This close-up portrait of his long-time friend, the French photographer Brassäi (1899-1984), clearly illustrates those traits with highlights on the face and hat, numerous white, gray, and black tones, and detailed texture of the skin, eyebrows, and hat. Brassäi was often referred to as "The Eye of Paris" due to his numerous nighttime photographs that disclosed the pulse of the city. Rejecting the use of "expressiveness" in his portraits, Adams once wrote, "The expression-many possible expressions-are implied." However, by capturing his sitter's penetrating eyes and dispassionate, quizzical look, Adams aptly conveyed Brassäi's role as a keen observer.
  • Cleveland Museum of Art, Tom E Hinson. Catalogue of Photography. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1996. Reproduced: P. 74
  • Artists Photographing Artists. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 13, 2001-February 27, 2002).
    Legacy of Light: Seven Masters in Depth. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 20-February 2, 1996).
    Year in Review: 1974. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 11-April 6, 1975).
    CMA, November 20,1996 - February 2, 1997: "Legacy of Light: Seven Masters in Depth."
    The Cleveland Museum of Art; 10/13/01-2/27/02. "Artists Photographing Artists," no catalogue.
  • {{cite web|title=Brassaï|url=false|author=Ansel Adams|year=1973|access-date=23 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1974.92