Barbara Morgan

(American, 1900–1992)

Barbara Morgan was an American photographer who captured images of professional dancers during their performances. Interested in the visual power of gesture, Morgan froze these ephemeral moments to heighten their symbolic significance. “Primarily, I am after that instant of combustion, when all the energies of the spirit are wonderfully coordinated with the action of the body,” she once said. Born on July 8, 1900 in Buffalo, KS, she moved with her family to Southern California as a child. Morgan went on study painting at the University of California, Los Angeles before moving to New York in 1930. In the city, she was exposed to the photography of Edward Weston and the dance performances of Martha Graham. These two new interests mingled to lead Morgan towards her photography project documenting at least 40 established dancers and choreographers, including Merce Cunningham. The artist also spent time traveling the Southwest, where she documented Navajo and Pueblo Indians dance rituals with watercolors, prints, and photographs. Morgan died on August 17, 1992 in Sleepy Hollow, NY. Today, her works are held in the collections of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., The Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, among others.

Barbara Morgan Artworks

Artworks for Sale &
Auction Results

Barbara Morgan (808 results)
Group of three gelatin silver prints, 1935

Barbara Morgan

Group of three gelatin silver prints, 1935

Sale Date: June 14, 2018

Auction Closed

Group of three gelatin silver prints, 1940

Barbara Morgan

Group of three gelatin silver prints, 1940

Sale Date: June 14, 2018

Auction Closed

„Spring on Madison Square“, 1938

Barbara Morgan

„Spring on Madison Square“, 1938

Sale Date: May 30, 2018

Auction Closed

Letter to the World, 1940, 1940

Barbara Morgan

Letter to the World, 1940, 1940

Sale Date: May 5, 2018

Auction Closed

Erick Hawkins, 'El Penitente, 1940

Barbara Morgan

Erick Hawkins, 'El Penitente, 1940

Sale Date: April 9, 2018

Auction Closed

Charles Weidman: Lynchtown, 1938

Barbara Morgan

Charles Weidman: Lynchtown, 1938

Sale Date: February 28, 2018

Auction Closed

Martha Graham- Deep Song, 1937

Barbara Morgan

Martha Graham- Deep Song, 1937

Sale Date: February 28, 2018

Auction Closed

Martha Graham - Lamentation, 1935

Barbara Morgan

Martha Graham - Lamentation, 1935

Sale Date: February 28, 2018

Auction Closed

Martha Graham- Lamentation, 1935

Barbara Morgan

Martha Graham- Lamentation, 1935

Sale Date: February 28, 2018

Auction Closed

Beach Tree IV, 1945, 1945

Barbara Morgan

Beach Tree IV, 1945, 1945

Sale Date: February 25, 2018

Auction Closed

Samadhi, 1940, 1940

Barbara Morgan

Samadhi, 1940, 1940

Sale Date: February 25, 2018

Auction Closed

Trees in Fog, 1941

Barbara Morgan

Trees in Fog, 1941

Sale Date: March 9, 2018

Auction Closed

Martha Graham - Lamentation, 1935

Barbara Morgan

Martha Graham - Lamentation, 1935

Sale Date: January 21, 2018

Auction Closed

José Limón, Mexican Suite, Peón, 1944

Barbara Morgan

José Limón, Mexican Suite, Peón, 1944

Sale Date: December 13, 2017

Auction Closed

José Limón, Mexican Suite, Indio, 1944

Barbara Morgan

José Limón, Mexican Suite, Indio, 1944

Sale Date: December 13, 2017

Auction Closed

Martha Graham, Letter to the World, 1940

Barbara Morgan

Martha Graham, Letter to the World, 1940

Sale Date: December 13, 2017

Auction Closed

Martha Graham, Lamentation, 1935

Barbara Morgan

Martha Graham, Lamentation, 1935

Sale Date: December 13, 2017

Auction Closed

MARTHA GRAHAM - LAMENTATION (DOUBLE..., 1935–1976

Barbara Morgan

MARTHA GRAHAM - LAMENTATION (DOUBLE..., 1935–1976

Sale Date: November 25, 2017

Auction Closed

Martha Graham - American Provincials, 1935

Barbara Morgan

Martha Graham - American Provincials, 1935

Sale Date: November 29, 2017

Auction Closed

Lamentation, 1935

Barbara Morgan

Lamentation, 1935

Sale Date: November 11, 2017

Auction Closed

Martha Graham - Letter to the World (kick), 1940

Barbara Morgan

Martha Graham - Letter to the World (kick), 1940

Sale Date: October 19, 2017

Auction Closed

Protest, 1940

Barbara Morgan

Protest, 1940

Sale Date: October 11, 2017

Auction Closed

Martha Graham, Letter to the World, 1940

Barbara Morgan

Martha Graham, Letter to the World, 1940

Sale Date: October 11, 2017

Auction Closed

Harlem Pool, 1934

Barbara Morgan

Harlem Pool, 1934

Sale Date: June 10, 2017

Auction Closed

English (US)

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