Living

Edward Steichen’s Manual of Style

For many years I had a postcard propped up on a bookshelf in my office, a portrait of actor Gary Cooper looking suave in a suit and tie. Though I’m a fairly disheveled sort myself, this picture of a casually elegant Gary Cooper was the apotheosis of style to me. I see now that the […]

A close-up black and white portrait of an older man with a mustache and serious expression, resting his chin on his hand.

Alexandre de Salzmann by Edward Steichen 1932

Photo Credit:

For many years I had a postcard propped up on a bookshelf in my office, a portrait of actor Gary Cooper looking suave in a suit and tie. Though I’m a fairly disheveled sort myself, this picture of a casually elegant Gary Cooper was the apotheosis of style to me.

I see now that the photograph was taken in 1930 by Edward Steichen, but I probably couldn’t have told you that until I saw the announcement for Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, The Cond

Edgar Allen Beem

Take a look at art in New England with Edgar Allen Beem. He’s been art critic for the Portland Independent, art critic and feature writer for Maine Times, and now is a freelance writer for Yankee, Down East, Boston Globe Magazine, The Forecaster, and Photo District News. He’s the author of Maine Art Now (1990) and Maine: The Spirit of America (2000).

More by Edgar Allen Beem

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Login to post a comment

Shop the New England Store

Unlock Your Roots – One Free Account, Endless Discoveries.

Get access to New England templates, research tools, and more.