J.P. Morgan, New York, from the portfolio "Twenty-five Photographs"
J.P. モーガン、ニューヨーク（ポートフォリオ『25枚の写真』より）
- Birth Year
- 1879
- Death Year
- 1973
- Date
- 1903 (reprinted in 1982)
- Technique, Material, Format
- gelatin silver print
- Dimension
- 33.4 x 26.7 cm
- Category
- Photograph or Moving Image by ForeignPhotographer/Artist
- Inventory Number
- 84-PHF-094-01
Of Edward Steichen’s many and varied photographs, the most famous are his portraits of well-known people. One of his earliest—taken when the photographer was still in his twenties—was of the New York banker J.P. Morgan. An artist had originally been commissioned to paint a portrait of Morgan, but the banker proved so busy and impatient that it was decided a photograph should be taken first. Morgan allowed only two minutes for the shoot. The second of two quick photos that Steichen took (this one) infuriated its subject, and yet it was the one that would be talked about for generations. The reason was Morgan’s left hand. The arm of the chair he is clutching looks uncannily like a dagger. One can’t help wondering if Steichen did it on purpose.
(MATSUNAGA Shintaro)