Object Details
Artist
Edward Jean Steichen, 27 Mar 1879 - 25 Mar 1973
Sitter
Anna May Wong, 3 Jan 1905 - 3 Feb 1961
Exhibition Label
Born Los Angeles, California
Anna May Wong became the most famous Chinese American woman of her day, ultimately appearing in more than sixty films. In 1928, she left Hollywood to seek better roles. Over the next three years, she worked in Paris, London, and Berlin, starring in several films.
European audiences were fascinated by Wong’s mix of American modernity, Hollywood glamour, and Chinese heritage. She set new fashion trends by blending Western style with Asian influences. Parisian magazines published photographs of Wong’s on-and off-screen appearances, reinforcing her reputation as a fashion icon.
During one of Wong’s visits to New York City, Edward Steichen took a series of photographs that showcased her fusion of Western modernity and Eastern tradition. Here, the style and embroidery of Wong’s shimmering gown resemble a traditional Chinese cheongsam. But Steichen’s sleek, streamlined aesthetic is pure Art Deco—the style that became the rage in Paris in 1925.
Nacida en Los Ángeles, California
Anna May Wong fue la china americana más famosa de su tiempo y figuró en más de 60 películas. En 1928 abandonó Hollywood en busca de mejores papeles. Durante los tres años siguientes trabajó en diversos filmes en París, Londres y Berlín.
El público europeo quedó fascinado con Wong por su mezcla de modernidad americana, glamur hollywoodense y ascendencia china. Wong impuso nuevas tendencias en el vestir al combinar influencias occidentales y asiáticas. Las revistas parisinas publicaban fotos de sus películas y su vida real, realzando su reputación como ícono de la moda.
Durante una visita de Wong a Nueva York, Edward Steichen le tomó una serie de fotografías que captan esa fusión de modernidad occidental y tradición oriental. Aquí, el estilo y el bordado asemejan el sedoso vestido de Wong a un cheongsam chino tradicional. Pero la estilizada estética de Steichen es puro art déco, estilo que era la sensación en París hacia 1925.
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Date
November 6, 1930
Object number
NPG.89.183
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© Condé Nast
Type
Photograph
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
Image/Sheet: 25.3 × 20.1 cm (9 15/16 × 7 15/16")
Mat: 55.9 × 40.7 cm (22 × 16")
Place
United States\New York\Kings\New York
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Interior
Architecture\Pedestal
Anna May Wong: Female
Anna May Wong: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Film\Movie actor
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.89.183