Abstraction
Outerbridge was as a commercial photographer, but also produced photographs as a means of personal expression. In the early 1920s, he made platinum prints of commonplace objects, transforming them into Cubist-derived abstractions through an acute sensitivity to light and pattern. Here, a simple box casts curious shadows, creating a flattened geometric composition reminiscent of Cubist still lifes by Picasso and Braque (see Gallery 908 and 910). Abstraction exemplifies Outerbridge’s ability to control spatial relationships, a skill that led critics to compare him to painters of his time.
Artwork Details
- Title: Abstraction
- Artist: Paul Outerbridge Jr. (American, New York 1896–1959 Laguna Beach, California)
- Date: 1922
- Medium: Platinum print
- Dimensions: 8.6 x 11.4cm (3 3/8 x 4 1/2in.)
Mount: 35.6 x 28cm (14 x 11in.) - Classification: Photographs
- Credit Line: Gift of the artist, 1929
- Object Number: 29.82.1
- Curatorial Department: Photographs
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Paul Outerbridge Jr.
1922
Paul Outerbridge Jr.
ca. 1924
Paul Outerbridge Jr.
1921
Paul Outerbridge Jr.
1921
Paul Outerbridge Jr.
1924
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.