Eleanor Callahan Has Died

Lewis Kostiner, Harry and Eleanor Callahan, 1996

Many people familiar with the history of 20th-century American photography know Eleanor Callahan. If you don't yet, you have something to look forward to.

Wife, muse, and frequent photographic subject of Harry Callahan, one of the major American photographers, she has died, in Atlanta, at the age of 95.

In 63 years of marriage, often using his wife as a model, Harry Callahan slowly created a tender portrait of connubial life that, in his pictures, conveys an unparalelled sense of quiet intimacy and personal connection. (I've often said that Eleanor seems present even in some of his pictures in which she does not appear.) She deferred all credit to him, but of course she holds the status of collaborator in their work together.

One of Harry Callahan's many famous photographs of Eleanor

I was surprised to find that the elegant 2008 book Eleanor is still in print. There's also a DVD , which I haven't seen.

Here's the obituary from the WBPM, and an earlier 2007 article.

Harry died in 1999.

Mike

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Original contents copyright 2012 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.

Featured Comment by Rob Atkins: "I almost feel as though a somewhat distant relative has died. Studying Callahan's photographs of his wife and collaborator for so many years—decades, actually—Eleanor Callahan long been a part of my understanding and love of his work."

Featured Comment by Kenneth Tanaka: "She was here at the AIC in 2007 for a retrospective of Harry's work. I did not personally meet her but remember my astonishment when Liz Seigel introduced her in the audience during her lecture. May we all have such remarkable circumstances in long lives! Thank you for your patience and indulgence, Eleanor!"

Comments

[Ernie Nitka]

Without wanting to appear to be a duffus is that I did NOT know anything about Eleanor so thanks for bring me up to speed

[JonathanN]

Great work! Thanks for the great info.

[John Camp]

If you google "Harry Callahan" you'll come up with lots of images of "Dirty Harry" Callahan, in addition to Mr. & Mrs.

"But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and will blow you head clean off, you've gotta ask yourself a question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?"

[Hélcio J. Tagliolatto]

Rob,
I'm feel like you...
Helcio

[robert harshman]

Harry Callahan,

What a great photographer, so many great images over such a long time, a real tribute to Chicago.

I've been living on and off in a famous house he shot probably a couple of times over 20 years or so. From the images I can find of this, from many commercial photographers, his work always stands out.

Just wish I could find an original print of this work :)

Great story,

Robert

[Colin]

Sad news. May she rest in peace.

[Ned]

Thanks for this Mike. I ordered the book and it's one of the few photography books my better half actually likes!