Saul Leiter (December 3, 1923 – November 26, 2013) was an American photographer and painter whose early work in the 1940s and 1950s was an important contribution to what came to be recognized as the New York school of photography
In the early 2000s, Saul Leiter came to the fore as one of the most accomplished and surprising colour photographers of the 20th century. Books were published, films made and exhibitions launched. While it was never a secret, few of those who are familiar with Leiter’s photography are aware that over the years he created, in his own unhurried way, a yet–to–be appreciated and equally formidable body of paintings and painted photographs.
"In his paintings Saul Leiter managed to convey the deep sense of observation characteristic of his photography. His works on paper are relatively small in scale. Most of them are abstract and somewhat flat, although occasionally a discernible figure emerges. Leiter used water-based paints (watercolor, gouache or casein) in loose and at times quasi-transparent brushstrokes, superimposing cold and warm hues to compose his fragile images....
Acknowledging these different approaches and using color as his driving force, Saul Leiter embraced photography with a painter's eye, creating honest depictions that translate his perceptions into a perceivable palette of emotions for the viewer to absorb."(.zigzags.be)
In the early 2000s, Saul Leiter came to the fore as one of the most accomplished and surprising colour photographers of the 20th century. Books were published, films made and exhibitions launched. While it was never a secret, few of those who are familiar with Leiter’s photography are aware that over the years he created, in his own unhurried way, a yet–to–be appreciated and equally formidable body of paintings and painted photographs.
"In his paintings Saul Leiter managed to convey the deep sense of observation characteristic of his photography. His works on paper are relatively small in scale. Most of them are abstract and somewhat flat, although occasionally a discernible figure emerges. Leiter used water-based paints (watercolor, gouache or casein) in loose and at times quasi-transparent brushstrokes, superimposing cold and warm hues to compose his fragile images....
Acknowledging these different approaches and using color as his driving force, Saul Leiter embraced photography with a painter's eye, creating honest depictions that translate his perceptions into a perceivable palette of emotions for the viewer to absorb."(.zigzags.be)
