The 1915 photograph Wall Street utilized formal abstraction to define urban spaces, marking a significant transition in twentieth-century aesthetics. Born in New York City in 1890, Paul Strand cultivated a career that bridged the gap between modern art photography and documentary filmmaking, ultimately shaping the visual language of his era through a career spanning six decades.
Early influences and photographic development
Educated at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Strand studied under documentary photographer Lewis Hine. A pivotal field trip introduced him to the 291 gallery, where he encountered the work of Alfred Stieglitz and Edward Steichen. Stieglitz became an early champion of Strand’s work, showcasing his photographs in the gallery and the publication Camera Work. During this formative period, Strand employed experimental techniques, such as mounting a false brass lens to his camera to capture candid portraits without his subjects' awareness.
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Strand’s professional scope extended into motion pictures, starting with the 1921 silent film Manhatta, co-directed with Charles Sheeler. In 1936, he helped establish the Photo League, a collective dedicated to linking artistic practice with social and political activism. His filmography continued with contributions to The Plow That Broke the Plains and the anti-fascist documentary Native Land. During this period, he operated within various social and political circles while maintaining his active involvement in the League’s publication, Photo News.
European residence and late-career books
In 1949, Strand moved to Orgeval, France, following the release of Native Land. He remained there for the rest of his life, supported by his third wife, Hazel Kingsbury Strand. He shifted focus to comprehensive book-length photographic portraits of specific locales, including Time in New England, La France de Profil, and Un Paese, the latter focusing on Luzzara and the Po River Valley. His final major project, Ghana: An African Portrait, was completed in 1976, the same year he died in Orgeval.
Political scrutiny and the move abroad
Strand’s departure from the United States coincided with rising domestic political tensions, specifically the emergence of McCarthyism. His affiliations, including ties to organizations identified as subversive by the Attorney General, led to intense monitoring by security services. Intelligence files, now housed at the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona, document this surveillance. Despite international acclaim, his later works were occasionally subject to bans in the American market due to his perceived political leanings and the printing of his books in East Germany.
Fast facts
- Born: 1890, New York City
- Died: 1976, Orgeval, France
- Education: Ethical Culture Fieldston School
- Notable work: Wall Street
- Film debut: Manhatta (1921)
- Professional memberships: Photo League, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Primary occupations: Photographer, cinematographer, film director
- Spouses: Rebecca Salsbury, Virginia Stevens, Hazel Kingsbury
Questions readers ask
Why did Paul Strand leave the United States?
Strand moved to France in 1949 during a period he identified as rife with McCarthyism, which he believed was poisoning the public discourse.
What subjects did Strand photograph in his later years?
His later work consisted of geographic portrait books covering New England, France, the Po River Valley in Italy, the Outer Hebrides, Egypt, and Ghana.
Achievements
- Notable work: Wall Street
- Educated at Ethical Culture Fieldston School
- Worked as photographer, film director and cinematographer
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