Artist Bio

Berenice Abbott (American, 1898–1991) is one of the foremost photographers of the twentieth century. She was born in Springfield, Ohio, and studied journalism at Ohio State University before she was encouraged to move to New York City. While living in Greenwich Village she began her career as an artist by studying sculpture, and made friends with a bohemian crowd of artists, writers, performers, and socialites who encouraged her to relocate again to Paris.

Struggling to make ends meet as a sculptor in Paris, Abbott sought employment from Man Ray, whom she had met back in New York. She worked as a darkroom assistant in his photography studio and borrowed Man Ray's camera to take her first photographs during her lunch break. Her star rose quickly, and soon prominent members of the Parisian avant‐garde were seeking her out to have their portrait taken. Abbott was also a lesbian, though not "out" to most people outside the queer community. Her studio became a destination for many queer individuals, who she portrayed on their own terms with respect and dignity.

After several years running her own photography studio in Paris, Abbott felt compelled to return to the United States once more—specifically to document New York City in its 1930s state of rapid change and development. This eventually led to the 1938 publication of what is now her most well‐known work, Changing New York. It was in New York City that Abbott met Elizabeth McCausland, who would be her partner in business and love until McCausland's death in 1965.

Abbott undertook several photographic projects outside of New York City, but she lived in New York until the passing of her partner, at which point she moved to rural Maine. Berenice Abbott lived in Maine, never ceasing her photographic practice, until her death in 1991.