Genthe Collection

Earthquake San Francisco 1906 Gelatin silver print
Artokoloro

ARNOLD GENTHE (1869-1942). American (German-born) photographer. Photograph, c1930

BELGIUM, c1910. Men posing in front of Het Steen in Antwerp, Belgium. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1910

NETHERLANDS, c1910. View of a town in the Netherlands. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1910

BRUSSELS, c1910. A street leading to Grote Markt, the central square in Brussels, Belgium. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1910

NETHERLANDS, c1910. Women and children in a town in the Netherlands. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1910

BRUSSELS: MARKET, c1910. Street vendors in Grote Markt, the central square in Brussels, Belgium. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1910

EUROPE: MARKET, c1910. A street market in Europe, possibly in the Netherlands. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1910

GERMANY: COLOGNE, c1910. A landing on the River Rhine in Cologne, Germany, with signs advertising boat trips to the zoological and botantical gardens. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1915

STEAMSHIP ZACAPA, c1915. Men on the deck of the United Fruit Companys steamship Zacapa, probably somewhere near Guatemala. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1915

CUBA, c1920. The presidential palace in Havana, Cuba. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1920

BELLS, c1920. Bells in the yard of a church in Guatemala or Cuba. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1920

GUATEMALA, c1920. A street in Antigua, Guatemala, with Volcan de Agua in the background
GUATEMALA, c1920. A street in Antigua, Guatemala, with Volcn de Agua in the background. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1920

WOMAN AND CHILD, c1920. A woman and child in a town in Cuba or Guatemala. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1920

CUBA, c1920. View of a street in Cuba, possibly Havana. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1920

LATIN AMERICA, c1920. Men and cattle on a street in a rural town in Cuba or Guatemala. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1920

CUBA: HAVANA, c1920. A street in Havana, Cuba, with a billboard advertising real estate. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1920

GIRL, c1920. Portrait of a girl, either in Cuba or Guatemala. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1920

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, c1905. Group of horseback riders in Yosemite National Park, California. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1905

NEW ORLEANS, c1925. A street corner in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1925

NEW ORLEANS, c1925. Children watching an organ grinder on the street corner in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1925

NEW ORLEANS, c1925. An organ grinder on the street in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1925

NEW ORLEANS, c1925. A view of the rooftops of buildings on Royal Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1925

NEW ORLEANS, c1925. A spiral staircase in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1925

WILLIAM SOMERSET MAUGHAM (1874-1965). English novelist and playwright. Photographed by Arnold Genthe, c1925

SF: CHINATOWN, 1920. A street scene in San Franciscos Chinatown: oil over a photograph, c1920, by Arnold Genthe

GRETA GARBO (1905-1990). Nee Greta Louisa Gustafsson. Swedish-born American actress. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, 1925

CHINESE IMMIGRANTS. A street scene in San Franciscos Chinatown. Photograph, c1920, by Arnold Genthe

Anna Pavlowa; Arnold Genthe, American, 1869 - 1942; about 1915; Gelatin silver print; Image: 33.5 x 25.2 cm (13 3/16 x 9 15/16 in.), Mount: 45.7 x 35.6 cm (18 x 14 in.)

NEW ORLEANS, c1923. View through wrought iron, New Orleans, Louisiana. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1923

SAN FRANCISCO: CHINATOWN. The Street of the Gamblers (by day), in San Franciscos Chinatown. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, c1900

CHINESE IMMIGRANTS. A street toy vendor in San Franciscos Chinatown. Photograph, c1900, by Arnold Genthe

SAN FRANCISCO, 1906. A row of houses on Howard Street set askew after the San Francisco earthquake of April 18, 1906. Photograph by Arnold Genthe

SAN FRANCISCO, 1906. San Francisco residents watching the course of the fire from a hillside after the earthquake of 18 April 1906. Photographed by Arnold Genthe

CECIL SHARP (1859-1924). English folk song revivalist. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, 1916

SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE. Crowd gathered on the street watching the city burn, following the earthquake of 18 April 1906. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, April 1906

SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE. Policemen patrolling the burning streets on horseback, following the earthquake of 18 April 1906. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, April 1906

SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE. A lion statue intact and surrounded by rubble, following the earthquake of 18 April 1906. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, April 1906

SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE. Ruins of the city, following the earthquake of 18 April 1906. Photograph by Arnold Genthe, April 1906

SAN FRANCISCO, 1906. The wreckage in San Franciscos Chinatown following the earthquake and fire of 18 April 1906. Photographed by Arnold Genthe

CHINESE IMMIGRANTS. A Chinese tong official followed closely by his bodyguard in San Franciscos Chinatown. Photographed by Arnold Genthe, c1900

IMMIGRANTS: CHINESE, c1895. Chinese immigrants in San Franciscos Chinatown, photographed, c1895, by Arnold Genthe

CHINESE IMMIGRANTS, c1900. Immigrant children in San Franciscos Chinatown. Photograph, c1900, by Arnold Genthe

CHINESE IMMIGRANTS. A family outing in San Franciscos Chinatown: photographed, c. 1890, by Arnold Genthe

IMMIGRANTS: CHINESE. A butcher working outdoors on the streets of San Franciscos Chinatown: photograph, c. 1900, by Arnold Genthe

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"Capturing the Essence: The Artistry of Arnold Genthe" Step back in time and immerse yourself in the captivating world of Arnold Genthe, a renowned American photographer with German roots. Known for his diverse range of subjects, from nude studies to famous personalities, Genthe's work is a testament to his artistic vision. In the early 1900s, Genthe fearlessly explored the realm of nude posing, pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms. His c1910 nude study showcases his ability to capture raw beauty and evoke emotions through his lens. Each photograph tells a unique story, allowing viewers to appreciate the human form in all its vulnerability and grace. Genthe's talent extended beyond capturing nudes; he also had an eye for immortalizing iconic figures such as William Somerset Maugham. In this striking c1925 portrait, we witness Maugham's enigmatic presence captured by Genthe's masterful composition, and is through these photographs that we gain insight into not only the subject but also the artist behind the camera. Another notable figure graced by Genthe's lens was Isadora Duncan, an influential American dancer who revolutionized modern dance. In c1917, he beautifully captures her expressive movements and magnetic energy on film. Through this photograph, we glimpse into Duncan's soulful artistry while appreciating Genthe's ability to freeze moments that transcend time. However, it wasn't just individuals that fascinated him; historical events intrigued him too. One such event was the devastating earthquake that struck San Francisco in 1906. With his gelatin silver print capturing scenes of destruction juxtaposed against resilience and hope amidst chaos – a true testament to humanity’s indomitable spirit. Beyond portraits and calamities alike were landscapes that caught Genthe’s discerning eye during his travels across Europe—Belgium being one such destination where men posed proudly before Het Steen in Antwerp or women strolled through picturesque Dutch towns.