''Zaida Ben-Yusuf: New York Portrait Photographer''

Open at the National Portrait Gallery April 11 through Sept. 1
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
The National Portrait Gallery presents the first exhibition of
photographer Zaida Ben-Yusuf's work in nearly 100 years. The
exhibition shows Ben-Yusuf's portraits of individuals who were
responsible for transforming New York into a cultural, political and
business capital. "Zaida Ben-Yusuf: New York Portrait Photographer"
opens April 11 and continues through Sept. 1. It includes 50
photographs by the artist.

"In the early 20th century, Ben-Yusuf was an important figure in
New York photographic circles," said Carolyn K. Carr, acting director
of the National Portrait Gallery. "It is an honor for the Portrait
Gallery to mount this exhibition that examines her life and work."

Born in London to an Algerian father and a German mother Ben-Yusuf
(1869-1933) was a celebrated portrait photographer in
turn-of-the-century New York, yet little was known about her life
until Portrait Gallery curator Frank H. Goodyear III saw an image by
the photographer that intrigued him. Through his research, he
uncovered more of her work and her life story, revealing Ben-Yusuf as
a leader in the art of photographic portraiture.

With her intuitive and often probing portraits, Ben-Yusuf played
an influential role in elevating photography to an art; her fine art
approach suggested new creative possibilities. Ben-Yusuf had her
photographs exhibited with Alfred Stieglitz--a measure of her
reputation among photographers--and she served as a spokesperson for
the Eastman Kodak Company. Like many photographers, she dedicated
herself to building "a gallery of illustrious Americans," although she
was the first woman to embark upon such an enterprise. Ben-Yusuf
attracted to her studio many of the cultural and political world's
most prominent figures, including Theodore Roosevelt, Edith Wharton,
William Merritt Chase and Julia Marlowe.

Goodyear, associate curator of photographs, is the curator of
"Zaida Ben-Yusuf: New York Portrait Photographer" at the National
Portrait Gallery; a 240-page catalog (Merrell, 2008) accompanies the
exhibition.

The National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery tells the stories of America through
the individuals who have shaped its culture. Through the visual arts,
performing arts and new media, the Portrait Gallery portrays poets and
presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists who speak
American history.

The National Portrait Gallery opened to the public in 1968. The
museum's collection of nearly 20,000 works includes paintings,
sculpture, photographs, drawings and new media. Located at Eighth and
F streets N.W., Washington, D.C., it is open every day, except Dec.
25, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Smithsonian information: (202) 633-1000;
(202) 633-5285 (TTY). Web site: www.npg.si.edu.

Note to editors: High-resolution images are available from the
National Portrait Gallery's ftp site. Call (202) 633-8295 or e-mail
hahnj@si.edu for information to access the site.

Smithsonian Institution
Bethany Bentley, Public Affairs Officer
202-633-8293
bentleyb@si.edu

Copyright Business Wire 2008