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

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.

i'm a can-opener. —alexey brodovitch about discovering talent in his students

Alexey Brodovitch sitting and working

Alexey Brodovitch, 1961. Gelatin silver print. Photo by Lida Moser. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.

 

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