tina modotti

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.

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.


Flower Series #1 and #2, 2015.


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.


RESOURCES CON’T

!  Slide #5

!  Staircase, 1924-1926.


!  Slide #6

!  Interior of Church Tower, 1924.

!  Slide #7

!  Convent of Tepotzotlan, Mexico. 1924.


!  Slide #8

!  Telephone Wires, Mexico 1925.


!  Folds of Cloth, 1924.


RESOURCES CON’T.

!  Slide #9

!  Calla, 1927.

!  http://imgkid.com/tina-modotti-photographs.shtml

!  Cactus, 1925.


!  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.


!  Slide #13

!  Easter Lily and Bud, 1925.


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