Brett Weston

American, 1911 - 1993

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The image shows a coastal landscape with a beach, ocean, and cliffs. The horizon is high in the picture, with textured clouds in the sky. Waves gently wash onto the sand, and a creek meanders towards the ocean. The ocean's surface reflects light, contrasting with shadowed land. The color palette is monochrome, emphasizing light and shadow. Mist rises from the cliffs in the distance.
Brett Weston, Big Sur Coast, 1981, gelatin silver print, Gift from the Christian Keesee Collection, 2023.156.9

Big Sur Coast

Brett Weston · 1981 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.156.9

The image depicts vertical and horizontal lines intersecting, creating an abstract composition. The vertical lines resemble tall reeds or stalks on a reflective body of water. Two large, flat, angular shapes are also visible, resembling geometric tiles or floating pieces of paper. The combination of natural elements and artificial shapes creates a visual contrast, reminiscent of floating platforms or driftwood in a serene water setting.
Brett Weston, Reeds and Plastic, Norway, 1972, gelatin silver print, Gift from the Christian Keesee Collection, 2023.156.7

Reeds and Plastic, Norway

Brett Weston · 1972 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.156.7

The image depicts a grid of four rectangles outlined by thick black lines resembling a window frame. Each rectangle contains vertical, undulating lines resembling curtains. The abstract composition creates the illusion of curtains drawn on a window, casting shadow patterns. The curtains appear to have a fabric-like texture, enhancing the structural theme.
Brett Weston, Window, Textile, 1972, gelatin silver print, Gift from the Christian Keesee Collection, 2023.156.8

Window, Textile

Brett Weston · 1972 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.156.8

This is a photograph of an adobe building. The image shows the façade of a multi-story adobe structure. The building is made of traditional adobe material, featuring a rustic and textured surface. Light and shadows play across the surface, highlighting architectural elements such as wooden beams and various windows and doors. The overall aesthetic is one of timelessness and cultural richness, showcasing the beauty of historic adobe architecture.
Brett Weston, Adobe, 1971, gelatin silver print, Gift from the Christian Keesee Collection, 2023.156.6

Adobe

Brett Weston · 1971 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.156.6

Brett Weston, Ice, Oregon, c. 1968, gelatin silver print, Gift of Manfred Heiting, Los Angeles, 2025.100.81

Ice, Oregon

Brett Weston · c. 1968 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2025.100.81

The image shows a stark black silhouette of a bare, gnarled tree in the foreground against a textured, light rock face in the background. The horizon is not visible in the composition, which focuses on the vertical expanse of the rock, giving a sense of towering height. The rock wall displays smooth, vertical striations and rough, weathered surfaces that add depth to the scene. The grayscale photograph uses high contrast to highlight the intricate branching of the tree, which extends upwards and outwards across the image, against the craggy surface. The monochrome color palette accentuates the contrast between the dark tree and the light rock backdrop, resulting in a visually striking composition.
Brett Weston, Rock and Tree, Glen Canyon, 1959, gelatin silver print, Gift from the Christian Keesee Collection, 2023.156.5

Rock and Tree, Glen Canyon

Brett Weston · 1959 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.156.5

The image shows a network of irregular, web-like lines and shapes creating an intricate cracked pattern. The surface resembles dried riverbed or fractured earth, with shapes resembling interlocking puzzle pieces. Various textures suggest a crusty, hardened surface. Delicate, plant-like shadows overlay the composition, adding depth and complexity.
Brett Weston, Mud Crack, 1954, gelatin silver print, Gift from the Christian Keesee Collection, 2023.156.4

Mud Crack

Brett Weston · 1954 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.156.4

The image displays intricate, swirling lines and shapes creating a dynamic pattern. The abstract piece shows clusters of lines spreading out in radial formations that resemble the flow and texture of feathers or delicate structures of ferns. The overall impression is reminiscent of a forest of abstract foliage, where lines converge and diverge as if capturing the essence of wind rustling through leaves or the gentle plume of a bird.
Brett Weston, Plastic Paint, 1952, gelatin silver print, Patrons' Permanent Fund, 2001.67.227

Plastic Paint

Brett Weston · 1952 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2001.67.227

This image depicts a coastal scene with large rock formations scattered across a beach. The horizon line is low, where the sea meets the sky. In the left side of the image, there is a cliff silhouette, and a tall rock formation stands in the sandy area. The overall color palette is monochromatic, emphasizing contrasts between the dark rocks, the lighter sand, and the textured cloudy sky. Another large rock formation is partially visible in the lower right. The land stretches into the distance, creating a layered effect.
Brett Weston, California, North Coast, 1950s, gelatin silver print, Gift from the Christian Keesee Collection, 2023.156.12

California, North Coast

Brett Weston · 1950s · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.156.12

This is a photograph of an urban architectural scene featuring a multi-story fire escape against brick buildings with flat roofs. The image is a top-down view of a confined urban space with the fire escape running along one of the walls. The buildings have brick facades and windows, and the fire escape descends in a zigzag pattern. The scene includes a hidden alleyway below, with signs and architectural elements.
Brett Weston, 47th Street, New York, 1945, gelatin silver print, Gift from the Christian Keesee Collection, 2023.156.3

47th Street, New York

Brett Weston · 1945 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.156.3