Picturing Gaudier: Walter Benington's photographic record

Abstract

This article examines the origins and survival of the photographic record of Henri Gaudier-Brzeska (1891-1915) and his work created by Walter Benington (1872-1936). Benington's unpublished listing of this photographic record provides the framework for analysing the ways in which the images were used by Ezra Pound, H. S. Ede and Horace Brodzky in their respective studies of Gaudier. A distinct pattern emerges of the way each author relates the chosen illustrations to the text to shape our understanding and appreciation of Gaudier. While the listing cannot supply the reasons for the choices made, it has provided the evidence to correct a long-standing misattribution. In addition it has established the existence of a previously unknown photographic portrait of Gaudier. This portrait is now published for the first time.