National Gallery of Art receives major gift of 1,261 Mitch Epstein photographs
The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, has become the largest institutional repository of Mitch Epstein's photographs, thanks to a generous donation of 1,261 pieces from Epstein and his spouse, Susan Bell. This collection encompasses five decades and includes significant series like street photography, road trip visuals, A Language of New York, and Family Business, along with large prints from American Power and Property Rights. Born in Massachusetts in 1952, Epstein studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and Cooper Union, currently splitting his time between Massachusetts and New York City. He has showcased his work globally, earning a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2002 and the Prix Pictet in 2011. NGA director Kaywin Feldman remarked that this gift will enable future generations to explore Epstein's contributions.
Key facts
- National Gallery of Art received 1,261 Mitch Epstein photographs
- Donation from Epstein and wife Susan Bell creates largest institutional collection of his work
- Works span five decades including early street photography and recent series
- Includes American Power series examining US power generation landscapes
- Epstein studied at Rhode Island School of Design and Cooper Union
- Epstein received Guggenheim Fellowship (2002) and Prix Pictet (2011)
- Eleven large-scale photographs will be featured in NGA exhibitions this year
- NGA director Kaywin Feldman called it a 'sweeping and visually compelling chronicle'
Entities
Artists
- Mitch Epstein
- Susan Bell
- Garry Winogrand
- William Eggleston
- Kaywin Feldman
Institutions
- National Gallery of Art
- Rhode Island School of Design
- Cooper Union
- Les Rencontres d'Arles
- Amon Carter Museum of American Art
- Pinacoteca Nazionale
- Cleveland Museum of Art
Locations
- Washington, DC
- Massachusetts
- Providence
- New York City
- France
- Texas
- Bologna
- West Virginia
- Raymond City