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1898

born in Ogolitchi, Russian Empire (now part of Belarus)

20

the public is being spoiled by good quality photographs in magazines, on television, in movies, and has become bored. the disease of our age is this boredom and a good photographer must successfully fight it. the only way to do this is by invention and by surprise.

—alexey brodovitch

Alexey Brodovitch in a trench coat, looking sideways, smoking

Alexey Brodovitch, 1951. Photographic Archive of the Museum of Modern Art Archives, New York.

 

nobleman who escaped to the front

Alexey Brodovitch was born to a wealthy family of Russian noblemen, his mother an amateur painter and his father a psychiatrist. After the Russo-Japanese War, the Brodovitchs moved to Russia. Alexey was enrolled at a prestigious institution in St. Petersburg aiming to join the State Academy of Arts later. Aged 16, he tried to join the Russian armed forces as a volunteer, but his father brought him back. Alexey ran away on several occasions and was eventually sent to an officers’ school.

Young Alexey Brodovitch in a white shirt and a black trousers looking into camera

Alexey Brodovitch before leaving Russia. Author unknown.

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