Alexander Liberman
Ukrainian, 1912 - 1999
Alexander Semeonovitch Liberman (September 4, 1912 – November 19, 1999) was a Ukrainian-American polymath, excelling as a magazine editor, publisher, painter, photographer, and sculptor. His career spanned 32 years at Condé Nast Publications, where he held senior artistic positions.
Early Life and Education
Born into a Jewish family in Kyiv, Liberman's family relocated to Moscow when his father took a government advisory role. The family faced hardships, prompting Liberman's father to seek Lenin and the Politburo's permission to move to London in 1921. Liberman received his education in Ukraine, England, and France, eventually settling in Paris as a "White émigré."
Career Beginnings
Liberman embarked on his publishing journey in Paris from 1933 to 1936, contributing to the influential pictorial magazine Vu. Under the mentorship of Lucien Vogel, he worked as an art director and managing editor, collaborating with renowned photographers such as Brassaï, André Kertész, and Robert Capa.
Move to New York and Career at Condé Nast
In 1941, Liberman relocated to New York, joining Condé Nast Publications. Over the years, he ascended to the role of editorial director, a position he held from 1962 to 1994.
Artistic Pursuits
Despite his success in publishing, Liberman's artistic talents extended to painting and metal sculpture, which he embraced in the 1950s. His sculptures, often characterized by the assembly of industrial objects painted in vivid colors, garnered recognition. One of his notable works, "The Way," a monumental structure created from salvaged steel oil tanks, became a centerpiece at Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis, Missouri.
Photography and Relationships
Before achieving acclaim as a painter and sculptor, Liberman focused on photography. He spent summers in the late 1940s photographing modern European artists in their studios, culminating in a celebrated exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in 1959.
Personal Life
Liberman's personal life was marked by significant relationships. He was briefly married to Hildegarde Sturm in 1936 and later wed Tatiana Yacovleff du Plessix Liberman in 1942. Tatiana, his childhood playmate and babysitter, accompanied him in their escape from occupied France to New York in 1941. After Tatiana's passing in 1991, Liberman married Melinda Pechangco in 1992.
Legacy
Throughout his life, Liberman's artistic endeavors were exhibited widely, showcasing his talents as a painter and sculptor. His contributions to the publishing industry and the arts left a lasting impact, cementing his legacy as a multifaceted creative force.
Early Life and Education
Born into a Jewish family in Kyiv, Liberman's family relocated to Moscow when his father took a government advisory role. The family faced hardships, prompting Liberman's father to seek Lenin and the Politburo's permission to move to London in 1921. Liberman received his education in Ukraine, England, and France, eventually settling in Paris as a "White émigré."
Career Beginnings
Liberman embarked on his publishing journey in Paris from 1933 to 1936, contributing to the influential pictorial magazine Vu. Under the mentorship of Lucien Vogel, he worked as an art director and managing editor, collaborating with renowned photographers such as Brassaï, André Kertész, and Robert Capa.
Move to New York and Career at Condé Nast
In 1941, Liberman relocated to New York, joining Condé Nast Publications. Over the years, he ascended to the role of editorial director, a position he held from 1962 to 1994.
Artistic Pursuits
Despite his success in publishing, Liberman's artistic talents extended to painting and metal sculpture, which he embraced in the 1950s. His sculptures, often characterized by the assembly of industrial objects painted in vivid colors, garnered recognition. One of his notable works, "The Way," a monumental structure created from salvaged steel oil tanks, became a centerpiece at Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis, Missouri.
Photography and Relationships
Before achieving acclaim as a painter and sculptor, Liberman focused on photography. He spent summers in the late 1940s photographing modern European artists in their studios, culminating in a celebrated exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in 1959.
Personal Life
Liberman's personal life was marked by significant relationships. He was briefly married to Hildegarde Sturm in 1936 and later wed Tatiana Yacovleff du Plessix Liberman in 1942. Tatiana, his childhood playmate and babysitter, accompanied him in their escape from occupied France to New York in 1941. After Tatiana's passing in 1991, Liberman married Melinda Pechangco in 1992.
Legacy
Throughout his life, Liberman's artistic endeavors were exhibited widely, showcasing his talents as a painter and sculptor. His contributions to the publishing industry and the arts left a lasting impact, cementing his legacy as a multifaceted creative force.
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