``Edward Steichen: Portraits''

Open at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery April
11--Sept. 1
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
"Edward Steichen: Portraits" examines two distinct portrait styles
of Edward Steichen (1879-1973): the soft-focus images from his early
years in photography, and the bold, modern images from his time at
Vanity Fair magazine. The exhibition is drawn exclusively from the
National Portrait Gallery's collection and features 50 original
prints, most of which date from the period of Steichen's association
with the magazine. The exhibition will be on view at the Portrait
Gallery April 11 through Sept. 1.

The first group of Steichen portraits are expressive images from
the photographer's years as a leader of the pictorialist movement,
which sought to elevate photography to an art form. At this time
Steichen's work reflected his background as a painter. In 1923,
Steichen was offered an astounding $35,000 per year--when the average
annual salary in the United States was less than $1,500--to be the
chief photographer for Conde Nast Publications, which included Vanity
Fair. During Steichen's years with the magazine (1923-1936), his
photographs became bold, geometric constructions that played with
shadow and light.

"Edward Steichen paved the way for modern celebrity photography,"
said Carolyn K. Carr, acting director of the National Portrait
Gallery. "Much of the celebrity portraiture we see today pays homage
to the style he developed at Vanity Fair."

Steichen's modern images captured the public's imagination and
fueled America's growing fascination with celebrities. Included in the
exhibition are iconic portraits of Fred Astaire, Willa Cather, Charlie
Chaplin, Joan Crawford, Walt Disney, Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham,
George Gershwin, Paul Robeson and Frank Lloyd Wright.

The curator of the exhibition is Ann M. Shumard, curator of
photographs at the National Portrait Gallery.

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, 202-633-8293
Public Affairs Officer
bentleyb@si.edu

Copyright Business Wire 2008