Imogen Cunningham
Being of the most pronounced photographers of the twentieth century Imogen Cunningham is without a doubt one of America’s photo icons. Imogen Cunningham started photography in 1903, at the tender age of 20 taking studies at University of Washington in Seattle; a university that interestingly offered not courses in art history, interests she had vehemently pursued since childhood. In 1909, she managed to win a scholarship for foreign study and attended photographic courses at the Technische Hochschule in Dresden Germany. She never took many photos but instead, focused on her studies. She managed to visit Alvin Langdon Coburn in London while she was abroad and not forgetting Alfred Stieglitz before returning to America in 1910; visits that gave her great inspiration.
Once back in Seattle, Imogen Cunningham got to open her personal studio which won her huge acclaims for her portraiture and the pictorial work she displayed. Being very successful in that, she became a hot pursuit by the industry, where she photographed and displayed at Brooklyn Academy of Arts and Sciences. She was later to have her portraits shown at International Exhibition of Pictorial Photography in New York with her work being published by the famous Wilson's Photographic Magazine.
In 1915, Imogen Cunningham married an artist named Roy Partridge who had no problem with posing nude for her, photos that made their way to the Seattle Fine Arts Society. The photographs were critically praised but the society saw less of the images. She could only check on the pictures after 55 years. She later got three children, Randal Padraic and Gryffyd, later in 1920, settled at San Francisco at the work place city of her husband Roi.
It was at the city of San Francisco, where Imogen Cunningham took on a keen skill refining her style illustrating her works of nature. She later became interested in botanical related art, especially in flowers, and thereafter, which drove to her interest in the magnolia flower between 1923 and 1925. Her attention later turned towards the landscape of insutries where she created several series of the art throughout Los Angeles and Oakland.
Four years later in 1929, Imogen Cunningham’s photos were nominated by Edward Weston to be included in the “Film und Foto” show in Stuttgart. Her interest changed once again and garnered a serious attraction in the human body, focusing her attention on musicians and other artists.). As a result, she was employed by Vanity Fair, taking photos of stars who would have their photos naturally with least make-ups.
In 1934, Imogen Cunningham went to New York to work with Vanity Fair. This however led to her divorce because of a disagreement she had with her husband regarding the time to travel. Her work relationship with Vanity Fair continued till 1936 when the magazine stopped being publicized.
She later did a bit of street photography making documentaries during the 40s. This was part of her part time jobs, where she would support her mainstream photography. Imogen Cunningham would later teach at the Carlifornia School of Fine Arts. Her love and practice of photography went on until June, 1976 where she met her demise at the age of 93.
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