HAROLD FEINSTEIN

Harold Feinstein (1931-2015) began his career in photography in 1946 at the age of 15 and within four short years, Edward Steichen, an early supporter, had purchased his work for the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). He joined the Photo League at 17 and became a prominent figure in the vanguard of the early New York City street photography scene. He was one of the original inhabitants of the legendary « Jazz Loft » which he later turned over to his long-time collaborator and colleague W. Eugene Smith.
Feinstein had his first exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1954 and his first exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in 1957. While his Coney Island work has been much celebrated, Feinstein’s breadth and exposure are far greater. He has a large collection of classic street photography, nudes, portraits and still life.
His first black and white monograph, « Harold Feinstein, A Retrospective », was published in 2012 by Nazraeli Press and won a Photo District News 2013 award in the Best Photo Books category.
Feinstein’s photographs have been exhibited in and are represented in the permanent collections of major museums around the globe including the Museum of Modern Art, International Center of Photography, George Eastman House, Museum of Photographic Arts, Center for Creative Photography, Musée d’Art Moderne, the Jewish Museum, and the Museum of the City of New York.
His portfolios, photo essays, and articles have been published in major periodicals including, LIFE, Aperture, Black and White, Camera Arts, The New York Times Magazine, American Photo, Oprah Magazine, Evergreen Review, Photography Annual, Modern Photography and Popular Photography.
In 2011 at the age of 80, he was given « The Living Legend Award » by the Griffin Museum of Photography.

EXHIBITIONS AT THE GALLERY

MAJOR SOLO AND GROUP SHOWS

2023
”A Black and White Journey”, Bigaignon, Paris
Centre de la photographie de Mougins, Mougins

2022
”Life as it was”, Galerie Bigaignon, Paris

2020
David Hill Gallery, London
”United”, Galerie Bigaignon, Paris

2019
The Store X, London

2018
”Graciously yours”, Galerie Thierry Bigaignon, Paris

2017
”Contagious optimism”, Galerie Bigaignon, Paris

2015
Howard Greenberg Gallery, Arles
Blue Sky Gallery, Portland

2014
Lumiere Brothers Center for Photography, Moscow

2010
See+ Gallery, Beijing

1954-1990
International Center of Photography, New York, 1978, 1985, 1990
Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1957, 1958, 1960
Helen Gee’s Limelight Gallery, 1958
George Eastman House, 1957, 1959
Whitney Museum of American Art, 1954

AWARDS

PDN Best books of the year award, 2012
Living Legend Award, Griffin Museum, 2011
Computerworld Smithsonian Award, 2001

PUBLICATIONS

2012 Harold Feinstein A Retrospective, Introduction by Phillip Prodger, curator of photography, National Portrait Gallery, London, Nazraeli Press

selected artworks

VIDEOS