Pirie MacDonald

About

Pirie MacDonald photographed the captains of industry and finance of America in the early twentieth century. Born in 1867, he opened his own studio in 1890 where he specialized in portraits of women. In 1900 he moved his studio to 576 Fifth Avenue and began to photograph congressmen, bishops, and presidents of corporations. He used a soft-focus technique when photographing these head-and-shoulder shots.

(1867-1942)

MacDonald was a civic leader in New York in his own right by having been elected President of the New York Rotary Club. His other honors and tributes include Life Member of the Photographers’ Association of America; Honorary Master of Photography; Officer of the French Academy with Order of the Palm; Honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain; and one of the founding Trustees of Winona.

Photo Credit: HOF Inductee: ©Matika Wilbur

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