Berenice+Abbott+Biography

Berenice Abbott was born on July 17, 1898 in Springfield, Ohio and past away on December 9, 1991 in Monson, Maine. Berenice was brought up by her single mother in Ohio. She attended the Ohio State University, but left in 1918. Later that year she moved with friends from Ohio to New York. Berenice left New York to go study photography in Europe. In 1929 Berenice returned from Europe to start taking photographs of New York City. She took photographs of the now demolished buildings in Manhattan to provide a historical chronicle. Berenice worked on her project by herself for six years, she was unable to get financial support from organizations and individuals as well. She supported herself by becoming a teacher in 1933 at the New School of Social Research. But in 1935, Berenice was hired by the Federal Art Project (FAP) as a project supervisor for her "Changing New York" project. She continued taking pictures all over New York, she also had assistants help her both taking photographs and in the office. This allowed Berenice to devote all her time to producing, printing, and exhibiting her photography all of New York. By the time she was done working at the FAP in 1939, she had put out 305 photographs that were put in to the Museum of the City of New York. Berenice's project was about sociology. Her photogrpahs showed the three aspects of urban life: the diverse people of the city, the places where they live work and play, and their daily activities. Her project intended to empower people. Some of Berenice's artwork is in the Museum of the City of New York, but you can also purchase some of her photography. Below are a few pictures of Berenice's photography. She has made a huge impact on the art world, in a time when women were not empowered she accomplished her dream.
 * __Berenice Abbott __**



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