Artist Presentation-Tina Modotti

Tina Modotti was born in 1896 in Udine, Italy. She is thought to have been introduced to photography by her uncle, Pietro, who ran a photography studio in Italy. Her interest in the subject was furthered by her father who also began a studio in the U.S.

After moving to San Francisco in 1913, she began a career in silent movies in the early 1920’s. Although she had married a famous photographer/painter in 1918 named Roubaix de l'Arie Richey “Robo”, she began a romantic affair with a well-known photographer for whom she often modeled named Edward Weston.

After their affair began in 1921, Robo left Modotti for Mexico City where he died shortly following from smallpox. Weston, leaving his wife and three of his sons behind, escaped for Mexico City with Modotti and one of his sons.

In Mexico City, Weston and Modotti became actively engaged in the political scene. Her involvement with the Mexican Communist Party and many radicals led to her romantic relationships with several well-known members such as Xavier Guerrero, Julio Antonio Mella, and Vittorio Vidali.

Her work is said to be divided into two categories: Romantic and Revolutionary. She began taking pictures of flowers for the Mexican mural movement and was also hired to photograph pictures for Anita Bremmer’s book “Idols Behind Altars”.

In 1930 she was deported from Mexico after being framed for her Cuban lovers murder, who was shot down by her side in the Mexico City streets. She fled to Moscow where she forsook photography for a life as a political activist. Modotti is thought to have been involved in several secretive missions for Russia during that time.

In 1936, Tina and Vidali left for Spain to work in light of the Spanish Civil War taking place. Finally in ’42, Modotti died a controversial death. It was suggested by Diego Rivera that her death resulted from her extensive knowledge of Vidali’s alleged arrangement of 400 executions in Spain.

Sources: http://masters-of-photography.com/M/modotti/modotti_articles1.html
http://www.profotos.com/education/referencedesk/masters/masters/tinamodotti/tinamodotti.shtml
http://masters-of-photography.com/M/modotti/modotti3.html

Roses-1925
Campesinos-1926
May Day March-1929—Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo
Mother and Child Tehuantepec-1929
Hands of the Puppeteer-1929
Stadium, Mexico City-1927
Tina Modotti-1896