Margrethe Mather 1885-1952

I'm indebted to the diligent efforts of Beth Gates Warren whose book, Margrethe Mather & Edward Weston, A Passionate Collaboration (W.W. Norton & Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 2001) is a must read for anyone interested in the life of Margrethe Mather and her work.

Edward Weston, Margrethe Mather, ca. 1914, gelatin silver print
Collection Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ


Imogen Cunningham, Edward Weston and Margrethe Mather, 1922
© 1970 The Imogen Cunningham Trust

Imogen Cunningham was herself an extraordinary photographer. More about her found at this link.


Margrethe Mather, Judith, 1920, platinum/palladium print
Collection Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ


Margrethe Mather, Florence Deshon with Fan 1921, platinum/palladium print
Collection Oakland Museum of California, gift of Dr. and Mrs. Dudly P. Bell

This beautiful actress died a tragic death at the young age of 28. Wikipedia link here.


Margrethe Mather, Johan Hagemeyer and Edward Wilson, 1921, platinum/palladium print.
Collection Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ

More about Johan Hagemeyer may be found at this link.


Margrethe Mather, Harold Grieve and Jetta Goodall 1930, platinum/palladium print.
Collection Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ

Recent newlyweds at the time of this photo, Los Angeles native Harold had been a successful art director and set designer for films. His actress wife, Jetta joined him in 1932 when they launched a collaborative career as interior designers.

On 4 March of this year, Photography News wrote this about Margrethe Mather on the 125th anniversary of her birth in Los Angeles. 
" . . . . Margrethe Mather was a photographer who --through her exploration of light and form-- helped to transform photography into a modern art.

"Despite her amazing body of work, Margrethe Mather remains an enigmatic figure, being best known for her association with Edward Weston . . . . However, many consider Mather to have been Weston's mentor and teacher. She shared with him her intuitive eye for composition and her innate sense of artistic style, teaching him how to edit an image to its very essence. Being a part of the growing bohemian cultural scene in Los Angeles, she also introduced him to her circle of bohemian friends, who taught him to view life from a variety of perspectives. In turn, Weston encouraged Mather to exhibit her work and compete for recognition.

"Margrethe Mather was very outgoing and artistic in a flamboyant way, and her permissive sexual morals were far different from the conservative Weston at the time . . . . Mather and Weston met in 1913 and worked together until he departed for Mexico in 1923 with Tina Modotti."