TINA MODOTTI I T A L I A N P H O T O G R A P H E R
A U G U S T 1 6 , 1 8 9 6 - J A N UA R Y 5 , 1 9 4 2
By Meredith Giltner
TINA MODOTTI
Edward Weston, 1924.
Italian photographer, active in Mexico. She emigrated to the USA in 1918 and met Edward Weston in 1921, moving with him to Mexico City in 1923. There he taught her photography.
TINA MODOTTI
Frida Kahlo, 1927.
Both Frida Kahlo and Tina Modotti were artists working in Mexico in the aftermath of the Revolution, during a period of general cultural awakening and social change.
TINA MODOTTI
! Most of Tina Modotti's work that is
known to the photography world was
done in Mexico in the years 1923
through 1926, when she lived and
worked with Edward Weston. She
apparently continued to work after 1926,
at least until 1930, when she was
deported from Mexico for Communist
activity Mella’s Typewritter, 1928.
TINA MODOTTI
Staircase, 1924-1926.
TINA MODOTTI
Interior of Church Tower, 1924.
TINA MODOTTI
Convent of Tepotzotlan, Mexico. 1924.
TINA MODOTTI
Telephone Wires, Mexico 1925. Folds of Cloth, 1924.
TINA MODOTTI
Cactus, 1925. Calla, 1927.
TINA MODOTTI
Cactus Flower, 1926.
TINA MODOTTI
Roses, 1925.
The softness of the petals against the form of the rose is very inviting. The shape of the petals and the rhythm of the circular pattern they make draws the eye to see where the edge of the image is. The image really emphasizes the delicate nature of the roses. The balance and unity is very well done.
TINA MODOTTI
Calla Lily, 1924-1926.
The contrast in this image is very soft. The value between the white and greys enhances the selective focus. The form of the Calla Lily and the movement of the petal draws your eye Into the picture. The lack of color makes this a strong image.
TINA MODOTTI
! The contrast of this picture is more
about the black and white aspects of the
flower. The softness of the white part of
the flower breaks up the image into thirds.
While one may focus on the flower, the
actual leaf and stem show value and form.
The lines in this image paly a role in how
one looks at it.
Easter Lily and Bud, 1925.
WO R K I N S PI R E D B Y TINA M O DO TTI
Cactus, 2015.
WO R K I N S PI R E D B Y TINA M O DO TTI
Flower Series #1 and #2, 2015.
WO R K I N S PI R E D B Y TINA M O DO TTI
Star Cactus, 2015.
RESOURCES
! Slide #1
! Tina Modotti at an exhibition of her work at the National Library in Mexico City, 1929 Courtesy Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty Images.
! http://www.manifestajournal.org/issues/fungus-contemporary/place-out-history
! Slide #2
! Edward Weston, 1924.
! http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A4039&page_number=22&template_id=1&sort_order=1
! Slide #3
! Frida Kahlo, 1927.
! http://www.fridakahlo.it/en/modotti.php
! Slide #4
! Text from John Szarkowski, Looking at Photographs: 100 Pictures from the Collection of the Museum of Modern Art
! Mella’s Typewritter, 1928.
! http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A4039&page_number=29&template_id=1&sort_order=1
RESOURCES CON’T
! Slide #5
! Staircase, 1924-1926.
! http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A4039&page_number=8&template_id=1&sort_order=1
! Slide #6
! Interior of Church Tower, 1924.
! Slide #7
! Convent of Tepotzotlan, Mexico. 1924.
! http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A4039&page_number=20&template_id=1&sort_order=1
! Slide #8
! Telephone Wires, Mexico 1925.
! http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A4039&page_number=2&template_id=1&sort_order=1
! Folds of Cloth, 1924.
! http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A4039&page_number=1&template_id=1&sort_order=1
RESOURCES CON’T.
! Slide #9
! Calla, 1927.
! http://imgkid.com/tina-modotti-photographs.shtml
! Cactus, 1925.
! http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A4039&page_number=23&template_id=1&sort_order=1
! Slide #10
! Cactus Flower, 1926.
! http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/7948671
! Slide #11
! Roses, 1925.
! http://www.masters-of-photography.com/M/modotti/modotti_roses.html
! Slide #12
! Calla Lily, 1924-1926.
! http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A4039&page_number=19&template_id=1&sort_order=1
! Slide #13
! Easter Lily and Bud, 1925.
! http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A4039&page_number=3&template_id=1&sort_order=1