Accession Number
1971/2.144

Title
Greta Garbo

Artist(s)
Edward Steichen

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
1928

Medium & Support
gelatin silver print on paper

Dimensions
13 7/8 in x 10 7/8 in (35.24 cm x 27.62 cm);22 1/8 in x 18 1/8 in (56.2 cm x 46.04 cm);14 7/16 in x 11 3/16 in (36.67 cm x 28.42 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Subject matter
Greta Garbo is photographed seated on a chair, which she holds onto with both hands. Her right hand clutches the seatback and the left hand’s index finger points towards her hair. The light falls from the right side towards where her gaze is directed, illuminating half of her face and a small part of her neck. The stark background of this closed set coupled with her intense look creates a dramatic and intimate portrait. This image was made by Edward Steichen at MGM Studios for Vanity Fair during the filming of the movie A Woman of Affairs. Steichen was the chief photographer at Condé Nast publications at the time. Steichen was instrumental in introducing a stylized and modern aesthetic to Vogue and Vanity Fair, as seen in this portrait.

Physical Description
Portrait of the actress Greta Garbo. 

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Collection Area
Photography

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

Keywords
Figures
Portraits
actors (performing artists)
celebrities
fashion photographs
film (performing arts)
modern and contemporary art
motion picture studios (businesses)
seated
studio portraits
woman