Zaida Ben-Yusef, New York Portrait Photographer

June 15, 2008 9:32 AM

Photographer Zaida Ben-Yusuf (1869-1933) was an important figure in the pictorialist photography movement in late 19th and early 20th century New York. The first woman to embark on building a "gallery of illustrious Americans," Ben-Yusuf attracted to her Fifth Avenue studio many of the most prominent artistic, literary, theatrical and political figures of her day. See the first exhibit ever on her photography at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC (through Sept. 1), view the online exhibit or read the book.
posted by gudrun (3 comments total)

These are great, thanks - I love this kind of snapshot of a time and place, and some of the bios are fascinating. Nice post.
posted by mediareport at 11:55 AM on June 15, 2008

Thanks, just sorry I spelled her last name wrong in the title ... sigh, at least I did it right in the main text.

It's Zaida Ben-Yusuf.
posted by gudrun at 2:13 PM on June 15, 2008

This was fascinating, thank you.
posted by jokeefe at 3:50 PM on June 15, 2008