Untitled, from: Light Rhythms

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Untitled, from: Light Rhythms

Artist Francis Joseph Bruguière (American, 1879-1945)

Date1930

DimensionsOverall: 3 7/8 x 4 3/4 in. (9.8 x 12.1 cm)

MediumVintage gelatin-silver print

ClassificationPhotographs

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1985.60

Not on View

Label TextFrancis Bruguière was born in San Francisco to a wealthy banking family. After a period of travel, during which he was encouraged to experiment with photography by Frank Eugene, one of the most talented American photographers of the early 20th century, Bruguière returned home and opened a portrait studio. He remained in San Francisco until 1919, at which time he moved his studio to New York City. In New York he worked for many of the popular fashion publications such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Harper’s Bazaar. In 1928 he moved to London where he began to experiment with photographic abstractions. This image is an abstract composition of pieces of cut paper, light, and shadow. It is a still photograph from Bruguière’s (and Oswell Blakeston’s) abstract film called Light Rhythms, made in London in 1930 and based on a series of light abstractions created by Bruguière. Light Rhythms was England’s first abstract film.Exhibition HistoryTMA, Jan 22 - June 8, 1999. Toledo Museum of Art, Refraction/Reflection, April 20-September 2, 2012.