Curtis Moffat: life and work
Curtis Moffat captured the 'bright young things' of the roaring twenties in stunning photographic portraits
Curtis Moffat
Curtis Moffat (1887 – 1949) created dynamic abstract photographs, glamorous society portraits and innovative colour still lifes. In the early 1920s, he collaborated with photographer Man Ray in Paris, making portraits and abstract photograms, before moving to London where he established a portrait studio.
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In 2003 and 2007, Moffat's daughter, Penelope Smail, generously donated Moffat's extensive archive to the V&A. The archive contains over a thousand photographic prints and negatives as well as press cuttings, scrapbooks, ephemera and photographic equipment.
Collection highlights
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Abstract Composition, gelatin-silver print, by Curtis Moffat, about 1930 -
Aircraft with Propellers, gelatin-silver print, by Curtis Moffat, 20th century -
Snapshot, gelatin-silver print, by Curtis Moffat, 20th century -
Snapshot, gelatin-silver print, by Curtis Moffat, 20th century -
Staircase in the home of Coco Chanel, gelatin-silver print, by Curtis Moffat, 20th century, France -
Lady Diana Cooper, gelatin-silver print, by Curtis Moffat, 20th century -
Nude, gelatin-silver print, by Curtis Moffat, 20th century -
Cecil Beaton, gelatin-silver print, by Curtis Moffat, 20th century -
Still life, gelatin-silver print, by Curtis Moffat, 20th century -
Photograph, gelatin-silver print, by Curtis Moffat, 20th century -
Abstract Composition, photogram, by Curtis Moffat, 20th-century -
Ms Greville, gelatin-silver print, by Curtis Moffat, 20th century
Features
Header image: Aircraft with Propellers, photograph by Curtis Moffat, 20th century. Museum no. E.936-2007. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Estate of Curtis Moffat