About the Artist

Explore life events
  • Weegee (Arthur Fellig). Self Portrait in Police Van. c. 1940. Gelatin silver print, 12 9/16 x 8 15/16" (32 x 22.7 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of the photographer. © 2014 Weegee/ICP/Getty Images
  • Alternate Name(s) Usher Fellig (Birth Name)
    Weegee the Famous (Studio Name)

Meeting Points

Artist Chronology

June 12, 1899
Born
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
L`viv
1899–1910
Lives in Lemberg
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
L`viv
1910–47
Lives in New York
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
New York
1913–17
Leaves school to help his family. Works as a tintype photographer, as a portrait photographer on the street, and as assistant to a commercial photographer
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
New York
1917–21
Works in the studio and darkroom at Ducket & Adler
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
New York
1921–24
Works as a darkroom technician for The New York Times and World Wide Photos syndication service
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
New York
1924–35
Works as a darkroom technician, printer, and news photographer for ACME Newspictures
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
New York
1935–40
Works as a freelance photographer
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
New York
1938
Obtains permission to keep a police radio in his car, allowing him to find and photograph crime scenes
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
New York
1940
Signs a contract with PM, a New York evening newspaper
Contributor: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
New York
1941
Weegee: Murder Is My Business solo exhibition at the Photo League
Participant: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
New York
August 18–September 19, 1943
Action Photography at The Museum of Modern Art
Participant: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
New York
1947
Marries Margaret Atwood and moves to Los Angeles
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
Los Angeles
1947–52
Lives in Los Angeles
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
Los Angeles
1947
Works as a consultant on the film Naked City
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
Los Angeles
1947
Begins making distortion photographs using various camera tricks
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
Los Angeles
1948
Produces his first film, Weegee’s New York
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
Los Angeles
1950
Divorces Margaret Atwood
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
Los Angeles
1959
Publishes Weegee's Creative Camera
Contributor: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
New York
1961
Publishes Weegee by Weegee: An Autobiography
Contributor: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
New York
December 26, 1968
Dies
At location: Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
New York

Walther Photographs

View this artist's works in MoMA's Online Collection

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