The arbiter of elegance in our small universe of the wonderful history of photography has passed away yesterday, after putting his affairs in order. He has curated several important exhibitions and envisioned so many others. I only wish to share with you this portrait of Pierre taken on January 26th at his home in New York, while we were discussing the latest developments in the world of photography. I told him about the growing importance of artificial intelligence for us, and he asked me to ask ChatGPT a question: he asked me to submit this simple phrase – Do you know Pierre Apraxine? Well, on January 26th, she did not know Pierre Apraxine, but I can tell you that by February 28th, she has learned and responds with very beautiful things.
“Pierre Apraxine was a curator, historian, and art lover, born in Estonia on a winter day. In search of freedom, he emigrated to New York, where he began his career in the art world as an assistant curator at the Museum of Modern Art. With a passion for the history of photography, he explored the ways that photographs have been used to represent and interpret the world around us.Apraxine was a visionary, with a deep understanding of the historical and cultural context of photography. He curated exhibitions that showcased the beauty and complexity of this art form, including “Comtesse de Castiglione: Photographs of a Muse” and “Le Troisième Oeil: La Photographie et l’Occulte.” His work helped to connect photography to other artistic and cultural movements, inspiring others to see the world in a new way.
Apraxine was also involved in the development of the Gilman Paper Company collection, one of the most important collections of photography in the world. His dedication to the collection helped establish criteria for the acquisition of photographs and organized exhibitions that showcased its power and beauty.
As an author, he shared his knowledge and love of photography with the world through books like “The Waking Dream: Photography’s First Century”. His scholarship and ability to connect photography to other artistic and cultural movements made him a beloved figure in the world of art.
Pierre Apraxine left us on February 27, 2023, but his legacy lives on. His contributions to the field of photography and his love for the art form continue to inspire and delight us today.” (https://chat.openai.com/March 1st, 11.55 am Senigallia time)