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Joan Crawford

Joan Crawford
Usage Conditions Apply
Artist
Edward Jean Steichen, 27 Mar 1879 - 25 Mar 1973
Sitter
Joan Crawford, 23 Mar 1904 - 13 May 1977
Date
1931
Type
Photograph
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
Image: 24 x 19.2 cm (9 7/16 x 7 9/16")
Sheet: 25.2 x 20.2 cm (9 15/16 x 7 15/16")
Mat: 55.9 x 40.6 cm (22 x 16")
Topic
Costume\Jewelry\Necklace
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Seating\Chair
Nature & Environment\Plant\Flower\Bouquet
Costume\Jewelry\Bracelet
Costume\Dress Accessory\Glove
Interior\Domestic
Artwork\Portrait
Joan Crawford: Female
Joan Crawford: Society and Social Change\Philanthropist
Joan Crawford: Performing Arts\Performer\Actor\Movie actor
Joan Crawford: Performing Arts\Performer\Dancer
Joan Crawford: Oscar
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© The Estate of Edward Steichen / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York, NY
Object number
NPG.91.71
Exhibition Label
Born San Antonio, Texas
Destined to become one of the screen’s most glamorous and enduring stars, Joan Crawford was dancing in the chorus of a Broadway revue when an MGM talent scout discovered her in 1924. Following appearances in a number of minor silent films, she soared to stardom in 1928 with her tabletop performance of an exuberant Charleston in Our Dancing Daughters. Crawford successfully navigated the changeover to talking pictures and starred throughout the 1930s with many of Hollywood’s top leading men, including Fred Astaire and Clark Gable. Initially cast as a glamour girl by MGM, she moved to Warner Brothers in 1943, where she fought successfully for more serious and challenging parts. Crawford soon gained respect as an accomplished actress and was honored with the Academy Award in 1946 for her portrayal of the title character in the popular melodrama Mildred Pierce.
Nacida en San Antonio, Texas
Destinada a convertirse en una de las estrellas más glamorosas y duraderas de la pantalla, Joan Crawford era bailarina en el coro de un teatro de revista de Broadway cuando un cazatalentos de MGM la descubrió en 1924. Tras aparecer en un número de películas mudas de poca envergadura, se elevó al estrellato en 1928 con su interpretación de un eufórico charlestón sobre una mesa en Our Dancing Daughters. Crawford supo llevar con éxito la transición a las películas sonoras y protagonizó muchas de ellas en la década de 1930 junto con algunos de los actores de Hollywood más destacados, como Fred Astaire y Clark Gable. Seleccionada en principio como una cara bonita por MGM, en 1943 pasó a trabajar para Warner Brothers, donde luchó con éxito por obtener papeles más serios y complejos. Crawford pronto se hizo respetar como una actriz consumada y fue honrada con un premio de la Academia en 1946 por su interpretación del personaje que dio título al popular melodrama Mildred Pierce.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Location
Currently not on view