Mr. Bennett, Vermont

1946

Retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art

The Museum of Modern Art in New York holds a large retrospective of Strand’s work, spanning documentary photography, portraits, landscapes, plants, architecture, industrial sites and machines.

December 1947

The Photo League lands on the list of subversive organizations

In December 1947 the Photo League, which Strand had helped to found, appears on the US Attorney General’s List of Subversive Organizations. The League was active until 1951.

June 1949

Leaves the United States and stays in France

In June 1949 Strand travels to present “Native Land” at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and, unwilling to tolerate the growing McCarthyism, stays in France and never returns to the United States. He spends the last 27 years of his life in Orgeval (Yvelines), never learning French; declassified files later showed that security services monitored him closely.

1950

“Time in New England” is published

“Time in New England” opens a run of six book “portraits” of place; returning to still photography in his later years, Strand produces some of his most significant work in this form.

1951

Marries Hazel Kingsbury

After his divorce from Virginia Stevens in 1950, Strand marries the photographer Hazel Kingsbury; they stay together until his death, and she assists him in his creative life in France.

31 maart 1976

Died