"Erwin Blumenfeld: The Secret of Beauty," Japan's first solo exhibition of Erwin Blumenfeld (1897-1969), a leading 20th-century photographer and renowned for his fashion photography, has been held at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum in Ebisu since March 5th. Erwin Blumenfeld was a photographer active throughout World War I and World War II, primarily working for fashion magazines such as Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. While he earned acclaim in Europe and the United States as a pioneer of fashion portraiture during its heyday, with solo exhibitions at the Pompidou Museum (Paris, 1981) and the Barbican Centre (London, 1996), his representative works have never been exhibited in Japan, making this his long-awaited first solo exhibition. The exhibition will feature approximately 290 works, compiled from a unique perspective using valuable materials collected by Blumenfeld's family and associates, including vintage prints from the 1930s, 100 masterpieces selected by the artist himself, and beautiful fashion photographs restored in color.

Blumenfeld's work, which spans a wide range of genres from surrealism to nudes and fashion, has influenced many photographers, but behind the scenes lies the anguish of being tossed about by two world wars and being forced to choose his field of activity according to the times. By focusing on the historical background and ideas of the artist through his activities, this exhibition will also allow visitors to see the spirit underlying his beautiful expression.
<<Numata Yoshino>>
<br /><br />[Event Information]
Erwin Blumenfeld: The Secret of Beauty
Place: Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography
Address: Ebisu Garden Place, 1-13-3 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Dates: March 5th to May 6th, 2013
Time: 10:00 to 18:00 (until 20:00 on Thursdays and Fridays)
Admission: 800 yen for adults, 700 yen for students, 600 yen for junior and senior high school students and those over 65
<<Numata Yoshino>>
<br /><br />Image Credit
"Carry the Red Cross" Vogue American Edition, Cover of the March 15, 1945 issue
(c) The Estate of Erwin Blumenfeld, Collection of Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography
"Erwin Blumenfeld: a hidden ritual of beauty" is organized by Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography Photography
in special collaboration with Nadia Blumenfeld-Charbit, The Blumenfeld
Family and Jean-Louis & Mado Mellerio.
The exhibition is curated by Nadia Blumenfeld-Charbit and Harumi Niwa,
curator of TMMOP.