Musical Semi-abstraction

© Estate of Paul Outerbridge, courtesy of G. Ray Hawkins Gallery, Beverly Hills, CA

Musical Semi-abstraction

Currently not on view

Musical Semi-abstraction,

1924

Paul Outerbridge, 1896–1958; born New York, NY; died Laguna Beach, CA
x1971-273
Outerbridge was a commercial photographer with modernist ideals who focused on the abstract qualities of commonplace objects—patterns of mass, line, light, and shade—rather than on the objects themselves. Unlike many other photographers, he would sketch out his ideas in pencil and then set up his subject, artificial studio lights, and camera and expose the image. In this photograph, he successfully abstracts bracelets.

Information

Title
Musical Semi-abstraction
Dates

1924

Maker
Paul Outerbridge
Medium
Platinum print
Dimensions
16.6 x 10.3 cm (6 9/16 x 4 1/16 in.) mount: 35.7 x 28 cm. (14 1/16 x 11 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of David H. McAlpin, Class of 1920
Object Number
x1971-273
Place Made

North America, United States

Inscription
Signed in ink, lower right: Paul Outerbridge, Jr.1924 Verso: Title, artist's name and address
Culture
American
Type
photographs, platinum prints, black-and-white photographs
Materials
paper (fiber product), platinum
Techniques
platinum process, toning (photography), mounting
Subject
light, shadows, abstraction

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