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Martha Graham—Lamentation

Barbara Morgan

Artwork Details

Martha Graham—Lamentation
1935
Barbara Morgan
gelatin silver print on paper
15 7/8 in x 19 7/8 in (40.3 cm x 50.5 cm);22 3/16 in x 28 1/4 in (56.36 cm x 71.76 cm);15 15/16 in x 19 15/16 in (40.5 cm x 50.7 cm);13 9/16 in x 18 in (34.5 cm x 45.7 cm)
Gift of Frances U. and Scott K. Simonds
1992/1.132

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Description

Subject Matter:

Barbara Morgan moved from California to New York City in 1930. She began photographing Martha Graham in 1935 after seeing her perform, immediately introducing herself and beginning a collaboration. Morgan photographed Graham and her company in her studio, giving her more control over the images she produced. Themes in her work included dance, capturing gesture, and depicting crucial moments in sequences of movement. This photograph combines two negatives to form a composite print. The photographs are from Martha Graham's performance of Lamentation, a modern dance choreographed to Zoltán Kodály's 1910 Piano Piece, Op. 3, No. 2.

Physical Description:

A composite print from two negatives, each representing a moment from a dance performance. The woman wears a large cloth, which she manipulates with her motions to create forms and shapes.

Usage Rights:

If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.