About Frederick Sommer
Desert shadows and solarized prints of the American Southwest
Frederick Sommer was an American surrealist artist and photographer born in Italy in 1905.
Frederick Sommer at a glance
- Born: 7 September 1905, Angri, Italy
- Died: 23 January 1999, Prescott, Arizona
- Nationality: American (born in Italy)
- Known for: Strange, high contrast images of the American Southwest
- Medium: Photography, drawing and collage
- Style or Movement: Surrealism
- Based in: Arizona
He is best known for his surreal and enigmatic images of the American Southwest, characterized by stark contrasts, deep shadows, and unexpected juxtapositions. He was a pioneer in the use of double exposures and solarization, techniquies he used to create his unique and otherworldly images. He also worked in drawing and collage. His work has since been rediscovered and is now considered among the most important American photography of the 20th century.
His photographs are held in major museum collections worldwide, including MoMA and the Getty.
His legacy as a teacher and innovator continues to inspire photographers and artists. His work is a testament to his unique vision and mastery of the medium,
“Sommer’s photographs are characterized by their stark contrasts, deep shadows, and unexpected juxtapositions. He often photographed the desert landscape, but he also turned his lens to everyday objects, people, and animals, finding beauty and strangeness in the ordinary.”
