Robert Mann Gallery presents Richard Steinheimer: A Passion for Trains. Whether chasing the freight trains that criss-cross the country or repeatedly admiring the commuter lines that practically ran through his backyard, the late Richard Steinheimer evinced a lifelong Passion for Trains. That dedication prompted the theme for Robert Mann Gallery’s exhibition of the photographer’s work, which will survey a wide-range of classical images from across his career. Steinheimer passed away in May of this year.
Well-known to railfans, Steinheimer was undeniably a pioneer in the world of railroad and train photography. Taking up the camera seriously in the years following World War II, he was influential in precipitating a move away from the conventional aesthetic known as the 3/4 speed-shot or “smoking wedgie,” which focused on the speed of the train at the expense of all other contextual information or compositional options. Steinheimer advocated a more expressive approach to his subject matter, seeming to capture what one commentator has described as “the very real impression [of the railroad] as it is seen and heard and felt,” coupled with an attentiveness to the rich culture and stunning landscapes that enveloped the railway. Such innovations found a receptive audience, fueled by Steinheimer’s relentless experimentation and willingness to embrace the revolutionary changes that railroads underwent in the postwar era. Between 1948 and 2001, the popular magazine Trains published well over 400 of his photographs.
Richard Steinheimer was born in Chicago, IL, in 1929 and was raised in California.
Richard Steinheimer, A passion for train
Until January 21, 2012
Robert Mann Gallery
210 11th Ave # 1002 New York
NY 10001-1224
(212) 989-7600
