Edward Steichen, 1879 – 1973

Greta Garbo, Hollywood

1928

13 1/4″ x 10 3/8″

Gelatin Silver Print Ed. 15/30

Gift of Aaron Schechter and Elaine Abrams Schechter, 2002

Frank Crowninshield, editor of Vanity Fair magazine during the 1920s and 30s, called Edward Steichen the “greatest of living portrait photographers.” Steichen originally studied painting, and for a time considered becoming a professional painter, before focusing on photography while studying in France. Using a more pictorial style in the late teens and early 20s with its hallmark softer focus and traditional composition, Steichen’s work evolved into the sharp contrasts and bold composition of Modernism by the time Garbo sat for him in 1928. This portrait, and another from the same sitting, where she pushed back her hair with her hands framing her face, are two iconic images of her.

At 23 years old, Greta Garbo had been working in Hollywood for only three years and was already a major star of the Silent Era. This portrait, taken during a 5-minute shoot on the set of A Woman of Affairs, shows the actress’ beautiful face and neck illuminated above her black-cloaked figure, her hair tousled and her brow slightly furrowed. Starring opposite her frequent co-star, John Gilbert, Garbo was still two years away from her first film with synchronized sound, a “talkie.” The transition would not be seamless for many of the top actors of the Silent Era. Garbo was one who made the shift, but not without a major marketing push from MGM, the studio that produced her first sound film, Anna Christie with the tagline “Garbo talks!” John Gilbert was not able to make the transition as successfully. There is speculation that this was due to the quality of his voice, deeper research indicates that it may have been as simple as his box office draw weakening or behind-the-scenes politics.

Greta Garbo, considered one of the greatest actresses of her generation, continued to star in films for almost 20 years, maintaining control of her career and choosing roles that were meaningful for her rather than toe the line of any studio. In the early 1940s, she decided to retire from acting and the public eye.

This is Rachel Deen, I am a grad student in the Arts Administration program at Baruch College in the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences. Thank you for listening!