Gertrude Käsebier
1852–1934 · United States
Intimacy as an artistic ambition.
Explore 4 works ↓
Gertrude Käsebier (United States, Iowa, Fort Des Moines, 1852-1934) · 1899
Public domain · Artwork record
The story
After studying art, Käsebier opened a studio and became an acclaimed portrait photographer at the turn of the twentieth century. Associated with Pictorialism, she constructed images in which light, gestures and textures give particular depth to relationships between subjects. Her work includes images of motherhood and portraits, notably of people associated with the Wild West show. Her professional success also illuminates women’s place in early American photographic networks.
Understanding the work
Follow the exchange of glances and the role of fabrics. An intimate scene can be carefully composed; its apparent softness does not erase staging or social relationships.
Key works and series
Images of motherhood; portraits; photographs of Wild West performers.
Sources & further exploration
A journey through images.
4 worksClick an image to enlarge it. Captions, collections and reuse conditions appear below each work. Captions describe the photographs; the source records retain catalogue titles and provide context.
Gertrude Käsebier (United States, Iowa, Fort Des Moines, 1852-1934) · 1899
Public domain · Artwork record
Gertrude Käsebier · 1902
The Metropolitan Museum of Art · Open Access
CC0 — The Metropolitan Museum of Art · Reuse conditions · Artwork record
Gertrude Käsebier · 1903
The Metropolitan Museum of Art · Open Access
CC0 — The Metropolitan Museum of Art · Reuse conditions · Artwork record
Gertrude Käsebier · circa 1910
The Metropolitan Museum of Art · Open Access
CC0 — The Metropolitan Museum of Art · Reuse conditions · Artwork record
Works in collections.
10 recordsPhotographs to explore on museum and library websites, with titles, dates and processes. Each link opens the collection record and its image where one is available.
