ROSENBLUM--Dr. Naomi. (January 16, 1925 - February 19, 2021). Dr. Naomi Rosenblum, eminent photographic historian and author of seminal works on the history of photography, died peacefully at home at the age of 96. Dr. Rosenblum's work over the course of thirty years shaped the understanding of the significance of photography as a fine art form and particularly the contribution of humanist photography in the 20th century. Dr. Rosenblum's books, articles, lectures and seminars in Europe, South America, throughout the United States and China brought expanded scholarship and recognition to the field of photography. She authored A World History of Photography (Abbeville Press, 1984, 5th edition 2019), recognized as a landmark scholarly study of the history of photography. Translated into six languages, including French, Japanese and Chinese, it also is considered the definitive textbook in the field. Her other ground-breaking work, A History of Women Photographers (Abbeville Press, 1994, editions. 2000, 2009) is "an eye opening history of women's accomplishments in photography from the mid-1800s to the present." Following this publication, Dr. Rosenblum co-curated an exhibition which brought a new focus to the important contribution of women photographers, which opened at the New York Public Library in 1996 and toured museums across the United States. Dr. Rosenblum was a noted educator in her field, with adjunct professorships of art history at Brooklyn College, New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Parsons School of Design as well as at the Graduate Center, CUNY. NYU Tisch School honors her contribution with a student scholarship in her name. Dr. Rosenblum is recognized for her international curatorial work, organizing exhibitions of the photographs of Paul Strand and other noted photographers. In 1980, she curated the first photographic exhibition to travel from an American museum to five cities in China, which featured the powerful images of the renowned progressive social photographer Lewis Hine. In 2020, Aperture Foundation, the leading photographic publishing foundation and center for photography, honored Dr. Rosenblum for her extraordinary contribution to the field of photographic history. Previously, Dr. Rosenblum and her husband, Walter Rosenblum, an esteemed photographer, professor and highly decorated WWII U.S. Army combat cameraman, received the International Center of Photography's Infinity Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1998. In 1990, Dr. Rosenblum received an appointment as a Getty Scholar in residence. The Rosenblums' deep friendship with the master photographer Paul Strand and other noted photographers and artists of their time as well as early involvement with the Photo League and other influential photographic organizations provided Dr. Rosenblum with an understanding and unique perspective on the photographic art form. Her experience, knowledge and commitment to photography inspired many young photographers and historians. Naomi Rosenblum and her sister, Vera, a two-time Caldecott Award-winning children's book writer and illustrator, grew up in a Russian immigrant household immersed in the political and cultural movements of the time. Although of limited means, her parents enrolled the sisters in free art classes at settlement houses and eventually they studied with Florence Cane, a noted proponent of art as an important force in childhood development. Dr. Rosenblum attended the High School of Music and Art, received her B.A. from Brooklyn College and a Ph.D. from the CUNY Graduate Center. Dr. Rosenblum was in many ways considered a Renaissance woman by her friends, given her deep knowledge of art history, design, world and cultural developments, and her unique aesthetic taste and sensitivity. She forged many friendships around the world with her engaging love of life and appreciation of culture and learning. She is survived by her devoted daughters, Lisa Rosenblum, an attorney, former Commissioner of the New York State Public Service Commission and retired corporate executive, and her partner, Nina Celebic; and Nina Rosenblum, an Academy Award-nominated documentary producer and director, and her husband Daniel Allentuck. Services have been made at Riverside Memorial Chapel at 180 W. 76th Street, but there will be not a public service at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to CityMeals on Wheels www.citymeals.org

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Published by New York Times on Feb. 28, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for NAOMI ROSENBLUM

3 Entries

Builder Levy

April 5, 2021

Alice and I were very saddened to hear of Naomi’s passing.
After reading the New York Times obituary, I began reflecting on the many years of friendship Alice and I shared with Naomi and Walter, both of whom played such an important role in shaping the direction and focus of my life as an artist photographer.

I met Naomi fifty-nine years ago, when her husband Walter Rosenblum, who was my photography teacher at Brooklyn College in 1962, arranged for his class to visit his home.

A few years later, in July, 1965, when Walter hired me, then an unemployed graduate student at NYU, to help him paint the family’s apartment in Astoria, Naomi invited me to come early each morning, before Walter and I began work, so that I could have breakfast with them. Nina and Lisa, their teenaged daughters were away for the summer. I felt I was being treated like a member of the family.

In early January 1973, Nina called me, and said Milton Brown wanted to know if I would be interested and able to live with Paul Strand in his East 5th Street apartment. Paul was coming in to New York from Orgeval, France, for the opening of his retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hazel had to remain in Paris for a few extra days for some hospital tests. Although I had taken art history classes with Professor Brown, I believe that if Naomi and Walter had not previously recommended me to him, I would not have been asked to stay with Strand. Alice and I ended up living with Paul for ten days, and remained friends with Paul and Hazel thereafter.

After Paul Strand died in 1976, I decided to make a portfolio, "Life of the Appalachian Coal Miner," printed in Stonetone by Sydney Rapoport, the printer that had printed Paul’s recent books. I asked Naomi and Walter to help me select the photographs for the Portfolio. And I asked Walter to write about them for the Portfolio. During vacations and holidays from my teaching, I had made numerous photographic trips to Appalachia, beginning in 1968. I wanted to make a book. Naomi suggested I return to make more photographs in Appalachia. I made four more trips: one in 1976, one in 1978, and two in 1982, before making the book, "Images of Appalachian Coalfields," in 1989, with a Foreword by Cornell Capa.

In 2004–2005, I asked Naomi to write an introduction for my second book, ""Builder Levy Photographer." Her beautiful essay "Engaged in Life; Engaged in Art,” explained, with clarity and insight, my approach to making photographs, and their place in the history of photography. She also helped me finalize the sequencing of the photographs, before I gave them to my designer.

With the help of several grants, including the Guggenheim, I returned to coalfield Appalachia, making numerous trips to photographically explore and interpret the new developments and realities in the new millenium. Naomi provided her invaluable help in directing me in the organizing and sequencing of the photographs for my third book, "Appalachia USA," 2014.

In the recent Aperture zoom Tribute to Naomi Rosenblum, I was inspired by hearing Deborah Willis, a MacArthur Fellow, who wrote the Foreword for my fourth book, "Humanity in the Streets, New York City, 1960s-1980s," talk about how Naomi had been her mentor. Nina’s short, beautiful biographical film left me wanting to see and hear more about Naomi.

When I called and spoke with Naomi a little more than a year ago, I told her I was so very glad to be able to talk to her, because we hadn’t spoken for a while. And she replied, she was very glad too.

Although I can no longer call and talk to Naomi or Walter, I will always remember Naomi and Walter with great appreciation and love.

Please accept Alice and my sincere condolences for your your great loss.

Simone Taylor

March 4, 2021

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. Please except my warmest condolences.

Dr. Hans Gummersbach

March 4, 2021

Thanks very much for great research work and so helpful publications!
A great photohistorian!
Dr. Hans Gummersbach / Münster /Germany

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