Process Photo History Lesson #003 -- The Photography Maverick, John Szarkowski
Once upon a time in Ashland, Wisconsin, John Szarkowski, born on December 18, 1925, ignited his love for photography at eleven. Post-World War II, he donned the U.S. Army uniform before graduating in art history in 1947.
Embarking on his career at the Walker Art Center, Szarkowski, not just a museum man but a successful art photographer, made waves with his first solo show in 1949. Two Guggenheim Fellowships later, he birthed "The Idea of Louis Sullivan" in 1956.
The bustling streets of New York City beckoned in 1962, and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) crowned Szarkowski as its photography director, succeeding Edward Steichen. His leadership extended beyond MoMA, sharing wisdom at the National Endowment for the Arts.
But the tale doesn't end there! Szarkowski, the wordsmith, penned the influential "Looking at Photographs" in 1973, a sacred text for aspiring photographers. His literary legacy extended to "Mirrors and Windows: American Photography Since 1960," exploring visual storytelling.
Beyond MoMA's walls, Szarkowski's wisdom radiated through Harvard, Yale, and NYU. In 1991, he gracefully retired as a MoMA emeritus, adorned with the reputation of a photographic guru.
Imagine this wizard curating mesmerizing exhibitions like "The Photographer and the American Landscape," weaving visual tales and orchestrating retrospectives of legends like Diane Arbus.
As the final curtain descended on his MoMA chapter, Szarkowski's retirement wasn't a subdued finale. He ventured into crafting his own photographic magic, attempting to encapsulate the spirit of the American landscape.
Alas, on July 7, 2007, the curtain closed on Szarkowski's incredible journey in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Yet, his spirit lingered in the air, echoing through exhibitions, documentaries, and groundbreaking theories.
In classrooms, galleries, and museums, his "issues" continued to be guiding lights, shaping the narrative of photography for generations to come. And so, the legend of John Szarkowski lives on. (Bonus: a portrait of Szarkowski by Richard Avedon)
