Mathew B. Brady (studio of)
- Introduction
- Mathew B. Brady (May 18, 1822 – January 15, 1896) was one of the earliest photographers in American history. Best known for his scenes of the Civil War, he studied under inventor Samuel F. B. Morse, who pioneered the daguerreotype technique in America. Brady opened his own studio in New York in 1844, and photographed Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, and Abraham Lincoln, among other public figures. When the Civil War started, his use of a mobile studio and darkroom enabled vivid battlefield photographs that brought home the reality of war to the public. Thousands of war scenes were captured, as well as portraits of generals and politicians on both sides of the conflict, though most of these were taken by his assistants, rather than by Brady himself. After the war, these pictures went out of fashion, and the government did not purchase the master-copies as he had anticipated. Brady's fortunes declined sharply, and he died in debt.
- Wikidata
- Q187850
- Introduction
- Brady first learned the art of photography in 1841, where he studied with Samuel B. Morse at the New York Academy of Design and at Morse's own daguerreotype school. Brady opened a daguerreotype studio in New York City, New York in 1844, where over the years he concentrated on portraits, most notably famous contemporary Americans, such as the statesman Henry Clay. In 1847, with his business flourishing, Brady opened another portrait studio in Washington, D.C. In 1860, Brady opened the largest of his galleries, called the National Portrait Gallery, and in that year took his first of many famous portraits of Abraham Lincoln. In 1861, Brady requested permission to document the Civil War. From 1861 to 1865, he organized teams of photographers attached to all parts of the United States Army who documented battles, officers and equipment. Brady and his team were able to cover all the battles and events of the war, which include portraits of Generals Grant and Lee, as well as unflinching images of dead soldiers. Brady approached the state concerning purchasing his collection, but it wasn't until 1875, after a vote in Congress, that the War Department of the United States purchased part of his Civil War collection of glass negatives. The purchase came too late, as Brady was reduced to poverty, selling the last of his galleries in 1895.
- Nationality
- American
- Gender
- Male
- Roles
- Artist, Portraitist, Painter, Photographer
- Names
- Mathew B. Brady, Mathew Brady, Matthew B. Brady, M. B. Brady, Mathew B. Brady (studio of)
- Ulan
- 500126201
Exhibitions
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Artist’s Choice: Trisha Donnelly
Nov 9, 2012–Jul 28, 2013
MoMA
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Photography Collection: Rotation 3
Mar 15–Nov 27, 2006
MoMA
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From the Gilman Collection: Photographs Preserved in Ink
Nov 15, 1984–Mar 3, 1985
MoMA
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Portrait Photographs
Jul 9–Sep 28, 1969
MoMA
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Photographs Before Surrealism
Apr 3–Jul 28, 1968
MoMA
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Mathew B. Brady (studio of) has
22 exhibitionsonline.
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Mathew B. Brady (studio of) Ruins of Richmond 1863-65
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Mathew B. Brady (studio of) Ruins of Richmond & Petersburg Railroad Bridge, Richmond, Virginia April 1865
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Mathew B. Brady (studio of) General Ulysses S. Grant 1861-65
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Mathew B. Brady (studio of), Alexander Gardner Ruins of the Gallego Flour Mills, Richmond, Virginia 1865
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Mathew B. Brady (studio of) Untitled c. 1860
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Mathew B. Brady (studio of) President Lincoln c. 1862
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Mathew B. Brady (studio of) Ernestine Souvenir 1860-69
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Mathew B. Brady (studio of) Samuel Nelson c. 1865
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Mathew B. Brady (studio of) Earl DeGray Ripon c. 1865
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Mathew B. Brady (studio of) Portrait of Robert Schenck 1871
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Mathew B. Brady (studio of) Mountague Bernard c. 1870
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