Object Details
Artist
Philippe Halsman, 2 May 1906 - 25 Jun 1979
Sitter
Margaret Wise Brown, 1910 - 1952
Exhibition Label
Born Brooklyn, New York
Margaret Wise Brown once mused, “The first great wonder at the world is big in me. That is why I write.” Brown’s work at the Bureau of Educational Experiments (now Bank Street College of Education) in New York City, an experimental academy dedicated to early childhood development, inspired her to write children’s books. Between 1937 and her death in 1952, she authored more than one hundred books, including such classics as The Runaway Bunny (1942), The Little Island (1946), and Goodnight Moon (1947). In her writings, which often use repetition of language, Brown evokes the poetry of Gertrude Stein, whom she greatly admired.
Philippe Halsman photographed Brown one year before Goodnight Moon was released and a few years after she began living with her life partner (playwright and actress Blanche Oelrichs). This portrait reveals Brown’s preference for handwriting her manuscripts using a quill pen.
Nacida en Brooklyn, Nueva York
Margaret Wise Brown explicó cierta vez: “Llevo en mí ese gran sentimiento original de asombro ante el mundo. Es por eso que escribo”. Brown trabajó en el Centro de Experimentos Educativos (hoy Colegio de Educación Bank Street) en Nueva York, una academia experimental dedicada al desarrollo de la niñez temprana, y esto la inspiró a escribir libros infantiles. Entre 1937 y su muerte en 1952, produjo más de 100 libros, incluidos clásicos como El conejito andarín (1942), La pequeña isla (1946) y Buenas noches, luna (1947). Con un estilo que recurre con frecuencia a la repetición, Brown evoca la poesía de Gertrude Stein, a quien admiraba.
Philippe Halsman fotografió a Brown un año antes de publicarse Buenas noches, luna y pocos años después de que esta empezara a convivir con su compañera de vida, la dramaturga y actriz Blanche Oelrichs. Este retrato revela su preferencia de escribir con una pluma de ave.
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Steve Bello in memory of Jane Halsman Bello
Date
1946
Object number
NPG.2004.42
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© Philippe Halsman Archive
Type
Photograph
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
Image: 19.3 x 24.3cm (7 5/8 x 9 9/16")
Sheet: 20.3 x 25.2cm (8 x 9 15/16")
Mat: 35.6 x 45.7cm (14 x 18")
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Seating\Chair
Costume\Jewelry\Brooch
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Table
Interior\Domestic
Home Furnishings\Lighting Devices\Lamp
Equipment\Drafting & Writing Implements\Writing implement\Pen\Quill
Equipment\Drafting & Writing Implements\Inkstand
Costume\Dress Accessory\Feather
Home Furnishings\Telephone
Margaret Wise Brown: Female
Margaret Wise Brown: Arts and Culture\Literature\Writer\Children's book author
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.2004.42