Margrethe Mather and Edward Weston: A Passionate Collaboration

by Beth Gates Warren

An examination of the personal and professional relationship between two important American photographers. Margrethe Mather has been remembered mostly through the commentary of fellow photographer Edward Weston, who referred to her as "the first important person" in his life. In fact, Mather was probably the greatest influence on the development of Weston's early career. Although Mather's little-known body of work has always held its own in the company of great photographs, her biography and influence have never been thoroughly investigated, in no small part due to her own reluctance to reveal the details of her colorful, sometimes sordid life. This book illuminates the professional and personal relationship of Mather and Weston, adding an unforgettable chapter to the history of twentieth-century photography. Mather and Weston first met in Los Angeles in 1913. They soon developed a close relationship, eventually working together as full-fledged artistic partners and even co-signing the photographs they produced. Weston was also madly in love with Mather, and the two engaged in a brief affair during his first marriage, although Mather was more interested in women. This book, which features work by both artists, chronicles their twelve-year association and sheds light on Mather, whose artistry, sexual identity, and mysterious past were overshadowed by the massive reputation of Edward Weston and his subsequent association with Tina Modotti.

Genres: Art, Photography

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2001

Reviews

[Frank McAdam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a small book but essential reading for anyone interested in the evolution of Edward Weston's photography and the history of California pictorialism. It is also an excellent introduction to the work of the now forgotten Margrethe Mather who was not only an important influence on Weston but an extremely talented photographer in her own right.

The text is really nothing more than a biographical essay but interesting reading for all that. The real value of the book lies in the high quality reproductions that show both Weston's and Mather's masterful photographs as they moved together from pictorialism to modernism and even includes a couple of photos by Imogen Cunningham. It would have been helpful if the author had included technical information on the photographers' printmaking processes as the reproductions are of platinum/palladium prints. Kodak had already discontinued its sales of prepackaged platinum paper by the time some of these prints were made and it would have been nice to know if the photographers had hand sensitized their own paper or worked with leftover stocks of Kodak.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful glimpse into the inner workings of a powerful artist / muse relationship... or is that the artist / artist relationship... must we distinguish between the two?