Richard Meyer – Alice Austen and the Secret History of Photography


This lecture by Richard Meyer, titled “Quarantined: Alice Austen and the Secret History of Photography,” took place on Wednesday, September 9, 2011 in Steinberg Auditorium at Washington University.

Art historian Richard Meyer talks the works of American photographer Alice Austen,  and lesbian visibility. He also mentions the book, which he has made together with Catherine Lord titled Art and Queer Culture, which presents art by 250+ queer, gay and lesbian artists.

Alice Austen

Photographer and lesbian Alice Austen (1866 – 1952) produced about 8000 prints in her life time; some of which depicts herself and her female friends. Those photos were printed for private purposes to be shared with a select group of women. In some of these pictures Alice is cross dressed in male clothes. In 1899 Austen met Gertrude Amelia Tate (ca 1871 – 1962) of Brooklyn, who was to be her long-time companion.

Related Links

Hall of Fame: Alice Austen