Gertrude Kasebier

Place: Des Moines

Born: 1852

Death: 1934

Biography:

Early Life and Career

, a prominent American photographer, was born on May 18, 1852, in Fort Des Moines (now Des Moines). Her early life was marked by the sudden death of her father in 1864, leading to the family's move to Brooklyn, New York. Despite the challenges, Käsebier's mother supported the family by opening a boarding house.

Photographic Career

Käsebier began her photographic career at the age of 37, attending the newly established Pratt Institute of Art and Design in Brooklyn. Under the influence of Arthur Wesley Dow, a highly influential artist and art educator, Käsebier learned about the theories of Friedrich Fröbel, which greatly influenced her work, emphasizing the bond between mother and child.

• She formally studied drawing and painting but quickly became obsessed with photography.
• In 1894, Käsebier traveled to Europe to further her education, studying the chemistry of photography in Germany and later in France under American painter Frank DuMond.
• Upon returning to Brooklyn in 1895, she became an assistant to portrait photographer Samuel H. Lifshey, learning how to run a studio and expand her knowledge of printing techniques.

Notable Exhibitions and Works

Käsebier's work was exhibited at the Boston Camera Club in 1897, showcasing 150 photographs. This success led to another exhibition at the Photographic Society of Philadelphia in 1897, where she also lectured on her work.

• Yoked and Muzzled – Marriage (c1915), a strikingly titled photograph, reflects Käsebier's unhappy marriage.
• Her project on the Sioux people, inspired by William “Buffalo Bill” Cody, resulted in classic photographs, including Chief Iron Tail and Chief Flying Hawk, preserved at the National Museum of American History's Photographic History Collection at the Smithsonian Institution.

Legacy

Käsebier's influential work in photography, particularly her images of motherhood and Native Americans, has left a lasting impact on the field. Her legacy continues to inspire new generations of photographers.

• Explore more of Käsebier's works at https://Wikioo.org/@/GertrudeKasebier
• Discover the Metropolitan Museum of Art's extensive collection, including works by Käsebier, at Metropolitan Museum of Art