Edward Weston's Early Photography, 1903-1926

Author

Amy Conger

Publication Date

4-27-1982

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the early work of the photographer Edward Weston (1886-1958) and to investigate the nature and direction of his development as well as the social and cultural environment during the first half of his career, that is, from 1903 through 1926 when he returned definitively to the United States from Mexico. About 800 photographs made by Weston during this twenty three year period are illustrated and discussed in the catalogue. Because of the consistent quality and interest of his photographic work and because of the publication of his personal journals, the Daybooks as well as other writings by him, more seems to be known about Weston than about any other photographer. However, only about fifty pictures by him from the first half of his career are readily available in monographs on or by Weston. Other images were found in publications from this period, exhibition and auction catalogues, and major and minor museums and collections in the United States and Mexico. People who knew Weston were interviewed and collections of correspondence and papers which deal directly with this theme were consulted. Studying Weston's early stylistic development not only throws light on the subject of the best avant-garde, West-Coast photography of this period, but also explains what he had tried, what he had accepted and rejected before he began producing those works which today are recognized as classics in the history of photography. It also helps to explain the creative process which he underwent and discounts any illusions about spontaneous generation. Writings by Weston as well as photographs taken by him in Mexico show that it was during this latter period that his ideas behind his mature style first became clearly defined. But, more important is the fact that many of these works, most of which have never been published or exhibited, are of very great beauty. In the 1940s, Weston described some of his prints from this period as "work which was full of important beginning."

Project Sponsors

Tinker Foundation, the University of New Mexico Graduate Student Association, and the Beaumont Newhall Fellowship

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Art History

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

UNM Department of Art and Art History

First Committee Member (Chair)

Beaumont Newhall

Second Committee Member

Thomas Francis Barrow

Third Committee Member

Mary Elizabeth Smith

Fourth Committee Member

Unknown

Fifth Committee Member

Garo Zareh Antreasian

Recommended Citation

Conger, Amy. "Edward Weston's Early Photography, 1903-1926." (1982). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/arth_etds/76