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Arnold Genthe

Arnold Genthe PhotographsCreated by: PICRYLDated: 1925
Arnold Genthe seated next to a woman friend in his studio in San Francisco
Arnold Genthe was born in Berlin. His father was a professor of Latin and Greek. Genthe followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a classically trained scholar; he received a doctorate in philology in 1894 from the University of Jena.

After emigrating to San Francisco in 1895 to work as a tutor for the son of Baron and Baroness J. Henrich von Schroeder, he taught himself photography. He was intrigued by the Chinatown part of the city and photographed, often secretly, its inhabitants. About 200 of his Chinatown pictures survive, and these comprise the only known photographic depictions of the area before the 1906 earthquake. The San Francisco earthquake and fire destroyed Genthe's studio, but he rebuilt.

He was a friend of George Sterling, Jack London, Harry Leon Wilson, Ambrose Bierce, and Mary Austin. He was appointed in 1907 to the Board of Directors of the Art Gallery in Monterey’s luxury Hotel Del Monte, where he ensured that the work of important regional art photographers, such as Laura Adams Armer and Anne Brigman, was displayed with his own prints.

In 1911 he moved to New York City, where he remained until his death of a heart attack in 1942. He worked primarily in portraiture, and Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and John D. Rockefeller all sat for him. His photos of Greta Garbo were credited with boosting her career. He also photographed dancers, including Anna Pavlova, Isadora Duncan, Audrey Munson, and Ruth St. Denis, and his photos were featured in the 1916 book, The Book of the Dance.
1870
1870
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1939
slider-holder
1939
3,335 Media in collection ∙ page 1 of 34
An amah holding a child, Chinatown, San Francisco

An amah holding a child, Chinatown, San Francisco

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Arnold Genthe photographing George Sterling, Mary Austin, Jack London and Jimmie Hooper on the beach at Carmel,

Arnold Genthe photographing George Sterling, Mary Austin, Jack London ...

Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

The opium fiend, Chinatown, San Francisco

The opium fiend, Chinatown, San Francisco

Three children standing on a sidewalk, Chinatown, San Francisco

Three children standing on a sidewalk, Chinatown, San Francisco

A goldsmith's shop, Chinatown, San Francisco

A goldsmith's shop, Chinatown, San Francisco

Man carrying a child accompanied by another child, Chinatown, San Francisco

Man carrying a child accompanied by another child, Chinatown, San Fran...

Detail of a screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Detail of a screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Man and a boy walking down a sidewalk with other people, Chinatown, San Francisco

Man and a boy walking down a sidewalk with other people, Chinatown, Sa...

Reading the Tong proclamation, Chinatown, San Francisco

Reading the Tong proclamation, Chinatown, San Francisco

Toy merchants, Chinatown, San Francisco

Toy merchants, Chinatown, San Francisco

Art object that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Art object that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Gambling hall, Jackson Street corner, Chinatown, San Francisco

Gambling hall, Jackson Street corner, Chinatown, San Francisco

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Three children talking to a man, Chinatown, San Francisco

Three children talking to a man, Chinatown, San Francisco

His first cigar, Chinatown, San Francisco

His first cigar, Chinatown, San Francisco

Title from a similar image in: Genthe's photographs of San Francisco's old Chinatown / photographs by Arnold Genthe ; selection and text by John Kuo Wei Tchen. New York : Dover Publications, 1984, pl. 117. Purc... more

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

Reading the Tong proclamation, Chinatown, San Francisco

Reading the Tong proclamation, Chinatown, San Francisco

Portion of an illustrated Japanese or Chinese manuscript or scroll that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Portion of an illustrated Japanese or Chinese manuscript or scroll tha...

All Peace Hall drugstore, Chinatown, San Francisco

All Peace Hall drugstore, Chinatown, San Francisco

Vendors and a horse and cart on a street, Chinatown, San Francisco

Vendors and a horse and cart on a street, Chinatown, San Francisco

Two men, one holding a child, standing in the street, Chinatown, San Francisco

Two men, one holding a child, standing in the street, Chinatown, San F...

Two women and a child walking down a sidewalk betwen crates, Chinatown, San Francisco

Two women and a child walking down a sidewalk betwen crates, Chinatown...

Merchant and bodyguard, Chinatown, San Francisco

Merchant and bodyguard, Chinatown, San Francisco

Sculpture that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Sculpture that belonged to Arnold Genthe

A family from the Consulate, Chinatown, San Francisco

A family from the Consulate, Chinatown, San Francisco

Coat of arms of the Genthe family

Coat of arms of the Genthe family

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Sculpture that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Sculpture that belonged to Arnold Genthe

A stroll on the plaza, Chinatown, San Francisco

A stroll on the plaza, Chinatown, San Francisco

Arnold Genthe at the beach

Arnold Genthe at the beach

Art object that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Art object that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Portrait painting of Arnold Genthe

Portrait painting of Arnold Genthe

Reading wall notices, Chinatown, San Francisco

Reading wall notices, Chinatown, San Francisco

Dressed for a visit, Chinatown, San Francisco

Dressed for a visit, Chinatown, San Francisco

Little Plum Blossom, Chinatown, San Francisco

Little Plum Blossom, Chinatown, San Francisco

Man carrying a child walking with another child, Chinatown, San Francisco

Man carrying a child walking with another child, Chinatown, San Franci...

Title devised. Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

Reading wall notices, Chinatown, San Francisco

Reading wall notices, Chinatown, San Francisco

Man and a young child walking down a street, Chinatown, San Francisco

Man and a young child walking down a street, Chinatown, San Francisco

Reading wall notices, Chinatown, San Francisco

Reading wall notices, Chinatown, San Francisco

Title from a similar image in: Genthe's photographs of San Francisco's old Chinatown / photographs by Arnold Genthe ; selection and text by John Kuo Wei Tchen. New York : Dover Publications, 1984, pl. 54. Purch... more

The shoe maker, Chinatown, San Francisco

The shoe maker, Chinatown, San Francisco

Art object that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Art object that belonged to Arnold Genthe

The fish dealer's daughter, Chinatown, San Francisco

The fish dealer's daughter, Chinatown, San Francisco

Title from a similar image in: Genthe's photographs of San Francisco's old Chinatown / photographs by Arnold Genthe ; selection and text by John Kuo Wei Tchen. New York : Dover Publications, 1984, pl. 20. Alter... more

Three children in front of a cellar door, Chinatown, San Francisco

Three children in front of a cellar door, Chinatown, San Francisco

Title devised. Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943. ID INFO: plate #23 in Tchen

The paper gatherer, Chinatown, San Francisco

The paper gatherer, Chinatown, San Francisco

Sculpture that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Sculpture that belonged to Arnold Genthe

No likee, Chinatown, San Francisco

No likee, Chinatown, San Francisco

Title from a similar image in: Old Chinatown : a book of pictures / by Arnold Genthe ; with text by Will Irwin. New York : M. Kennerley, 1913, p. 99. Alternate title from a similar image in: Pictures of old Chi... more

Small child sitting on a doorstep, Chinatown, San Francisco

Small child sitting on a doorstep, Chinatown, San Francisco

Sculpture that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Sculpture that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Chinese American men and child in front of building with hanging lanterns, Chinatown, San Francisco

Chinese American men and child in front of building with hanging lante...

Photograph shows Chinese American men in traditional dress standing on a street in Chinatown, San Francisco. One man holds a child. Title devised by Library staff. Forms part of: Genthe photograph collection (L... more

Three children standing on a sidewalk, Chinatown, San Francisco

Three children standing on a sidewalk, Chinatown, San Francisco

Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

Woman and a child walking down a street, Chinatown, San Francisco

Woman and a child walking down a street, Chinatown, San Francisco

Drawing that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Drawing that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Children walking, Chinatown, San Francisco

Children walking, Chinatown, San Francisco

Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

A corner on the hillside, Chinatown, San Francisco

A corner on the hillside, Chinatown, San Francisco

Two men standing on a sidewalk, Chinatown, San Francisco

Two men standing on a sidewalk, Chinatown, San Francisco

Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

He belong me, Chinatown, San Francisco

He belong me, Chinatown, San Francisco

Art object that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Art object that belonged to Arnold Genthe

A corner on the hillside, Chinatown, San Francisco

A corner on the hillside, Chinatown, San Francisco

Clippings of an article on Arnold Genthe by Joseph Gregor and an article from Die Bühne

Clippings of an article on Arnold Genthe by Joseph Gregor and an artic...

Men standing or walking down a sidewalk, Chinatown, San Francisco

Men standing or walking down a sidewalk, Chinatown, San Francisco

Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

Rescued slave girls, Chinatown, San Francisco

Rescued slave girls, Chinatown, San Francisco

Young aristocrats, Chinatown, San Francisco

Young aristocrats, Chinatown, San Francisco

The Chinese Salvation Army, Chinatown, San Francisco

The Chinese Salvation Army, Chinatown, San Francisco

Young girl walking down the street, looking into the camera, Chinatown, San Francisco

Young girl walking down the street, looking into the camera, Chinatown...

Title devised. Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

Art object that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Art object that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

Apricot Spring Orchard drugstore, Chinatown, San Francisco

Apricot Spring Orchard drugstore, Chinatown, San Francisco

Dupont Street entrance to Chinatown, San Francisco

Dupont Street entrance to Chinatown, San Francisco

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Chinese and American women walking down a street, Chinatown, San Francisco

Chinese and American women walking down a street, Chinatown, San Franc...

Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

In holiday finery, Chinatown, San Francisco

In holiday finery, Chinatown, San Francisco

The drug store sign, Chinatown, San Francisco

The drug store sign, Chinatown, San Francisco

Title from a similar image in: Genthe's photographs of San Francisco's old Chinatown / photographs by Arnold Genthe ; selection and text by John Kuo Wei Tchen. New York : Dover Publications, 1984, pl. 42. Purch... more

Street scene, Chinatown, San Francisco

Street scene, Chinatown, San Francisco

Title devised. Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

All Peace Hall drugstore, Chinatown, San Francisco

All Peace Hall drugstore, Chinatown, San Francisco

Street scene, Chinatown, San Francisco

Street scene, Chinatown, San Francisco

Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943. vd image reversed 2/96

Friends, Chinatown, San Francisco

Friends, Chinatown, San Francisco

Jewish balloon man, Chinatown, San Francisco

Jewish balloon man, Chinatown, San Francisco

Title from a similar image in: Genthe's photographs of San Francisco's old Chinatown / photographs by Arnold Genthe ; selection and text by John Kuo Wei Tchen. New York : Dover Publications, 1984, pl. 60. Purch... more

Man and a boy walking down a sidewalk with other people, Chinatown, San Francisco

Man and a boy walking down a sidewalk with other people, Chinatown, Sa...

Title devised. Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

Their first photograph, Chinatown, San Francisco

Their first photograph, Chinatown, San Francisco

Washington Street, Chinatown, San Francisco

Washington Street, Chinatown, San Francisco

Street scene, Chinatown, San Francisco

Street scene, Chinatown, San Francisco

Art objects that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Art objects that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Art object that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Art object that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Dupont Street entrance to Chinatown, San Francisco

Dupont Street entrance to Chinatown, San Francisco

New Year's Day in Chinatown, San Francisco

New Year's Day in Chinatown, San Francisco

Buying New Year's gifts, Chinatown, San Francisco

Buying New Year's gifts, Chinatown, San Francisco

Portrait sculpture of Arnold Genthe

Portrait sculpture of Arnold Genthe

Women and children walking down a street, Chinatown, San Francisco

Women and children walking down a street, Chinatown, San Francisco

Title devised. Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Screen painting that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

Dressed for a visit, Chinatown, San Francisco

Dressed for a visit, Chinatown, San Francisco

Art objects that belonged to Arnold Genthe

Art objects that belonged to Arnold Genthe

A corner crowd, Chinatown, San Francisco

A corner crowd, Chinatown, San Francisco

Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943. vd image: negative margins cropped

Man and two children entering a building, Chinatown, San Francisco

Man and two children entering a building, Chinatown, San Francisco

Man walking with a small child, Chinatown, San Francisco

Man walking with a small child, Chinatown, San Francisco

Title devised. Purchase; Genthe Estate; 1942 or 1943.

Man carrying a child walking with another child, Chinatown, San Francisco

Man carrying a child walking with another child, Chinatown, San Franci...

The devil's kitchen, Chinatown, San Francisco

The devil's kitchen, Chinatown, San Francisco

Young aristocrats, Chinatown, San Francisco

Young aristocrats, Chinatown, San Francisco