Williams College Museum of Art Presents
Edward Steichen: In High Fashion the Condé Nast Years, 1923–1937 and
Edward Steichen: Episodes from a Life in Photography

Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, the Condé Nast Years, 1923–1937 presents over 180 photographs that Steichen made while working as Chief Photographer for two of Condé Nast’s best known magazines: Vogue and Vanity Fair. Steichen photographed models wearing fashion from some of the most famous designers of the period including Worth, Poiret, Chanel, and Schiaparelli. He also created portraits of the most prominent figures in literature, journalism, dance, sport, politics, theatre, and film for Vanity Fair, including Greta Garbo, Winston Churchill, Marlene Dietrich, George Gershwin, Frank Lloyd Wright, Amelia Earhart, and Walt Disney. Between the two World Wars, Steichen revolutionized fashion photography while becoming known as “the most famous portrait photographer in the world.” In High Fashion opens at WCMA on May 30 and runs through September 13, 2009, after which it will travel to the Art Gallery of Ontario . A 288-page catalogue accompanies this exhibition.

Edward Steichen: Episodes from a Life in Photography features photographs from throughout Steichen’s prolific career, presenting many different aspects and themes. It also highlights some of the technical and artistic issues that Steichen explored in his printing methods. Episodes depicts Steichen’s transition from pictorialist to modernist photography, which is epitomized by his fashion and glamour photography. Episodes presents 90 photographs and includes multiple copies of certain prints to demonstrate Steichen’s interest in a variety of technological processes. It opens at WCMA on June 6 and runs through November 8, 2009.

Williams College Museum of Art
The Williams College Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free and the museum is wheelchair accessible.