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Erwin BlumenfeldAmerican photographer
Date of Birth: 01.01.1897
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Erwin Blumenfeld: A Visionary Fashion Photographer
- Early Life and Education
- Artistic Awakening
- Professional Breakthrough
- Wartime Ordeals
- Fashion Photography Dominance
- Style and Influence
- Retirement and Legacy
- Personal Philosophy
- Death and Impact
Erwin Blumenfeld: A Visionary Fashion Photographer
Erwin Blumenfeld (1897-1969) was an influential fashion photographer known for his evocative and groundbreaking images that left an enduring mark on the industry. His work from the 1940s and 1950s exudes a captivating style that has since been irretrievably lost.
Early Life and Education
Blumenfeld was born into an affluent Jewish family in Berlin in 1897. As a child, he developed a keen interest in photography and received his first camera at the age of 10. Despite his family's initial wealth, financial difficulties forced him to consider alternative career paths.
Artistic Awakening
In 1918, Blumenfeld relocated to the Netherlands and pursued business ventures. However, his true passion lay elsewhere. He discovered a renewed interest in photography and immersed himself in the craft.
Professional Breakthrough
By the 1930s, Blumenfeld had established himself as a professional photographer in Paris. His work gained recognition in renowned publications such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. His marriage to Lena Citroen in 1921 had resulted in three children.
Wartime Ordeals
World War II brought significant challenges for Blumenfeld. He was interned in French labor camps but later secured permission to immigrate to the United States. Despite deserting the German army during World War I, which had led to his mother's betrayal, he eventually obtained American citizenship in 1946.
Fashion Photography Dominance
In the postwar era, Blumenfeld's career flourished in New York. He collaborated with a fellow photographer before setting up his own studio. His fashion and advertising campaigns garnered widespread acclaim, establishing him as a leading figure in the industry.
Style and Influence
Blumenfeld's photographs were characterized by their surreal and dreamlike aesthetic. He embraced unconventional techniques, such as multiple exposures and collage, to create images that were both alluring and thought-provoking.
Retirement and Legacy
As fashion photography shifted towards a more straightforward style in the mid-1950s, Blumenfeld's career waned. He retired from the industry after a series of conflicts with publishers. Despite his struggles, his influence remained profound, and his work continues to inspire contemporary photographers.
Personal Philosophy
Blumenfeld described his passion for photography as a way to capture the existing world rather than depict it through painting. He also expressed his unwavering admiration for women, stating, "I have loved two things in my life: my work and women, all women, without exception."
Death and Impact
Erwin Blumenfeld passed away in 1969 at the age of 72 during a trip to Rome. His autobiography, written in the 1960s, was published posthumously due to his strained relationships with publishers. Blumenfeld's legacy as one of the most influential fashion photographers of the 20th century remains uncontested.