Robert Farber

"Robert sees the world through the eyes of a romantic and he communicates by means of soft movement, ﬂowing shapes and pure nature. I usually associate Robert’s images with romantic symbolism, more in keeping with the traditions of my own generation- antique pillars, steps, soft veils.”

Horst P. Horst

With a career spanning over forty years, Robert Farber has etched his own photographic style and inspired a whole generation of photographers. Whether it be the female form, landscapes, still life, or fashion, his painterly style distillates the composition to retain its essence only. Master of the nude genre, his photographs are spontaneous, seldomly pre-planned, and imbued with a “romantic mood”. The use of soft-focus, subdued directional lighting and grainy texture create an elusive and evanescent image reminiscent of the impressionist Masters. Similarly, his landscapes' compositions are minimalists, defined by hazy contours and a floating atmosphere. Yet, human presence is often absent. Instead, Farber’s photographs convey a sense of soothing and inviting emptiness. Whether it be an old American flag, a beach in Normandy or a winding road in Montana, his images channel the soul of their subject and are a starting point for narration.

Résumé, Robert Farber

Born on February 29, 1944 in Newark, NJ, Robert Farber took an interest in painting from a young age but went on to study business and marketing in college. He soon quit to return to New Jersey and pursue his passion for art. Attracted to the immediacy of photography, yet uninterested in graphic realism, he started experimenting with films, filters and development processes. These led him to eventually shape a style of photographs almost indistinguishable from paintings, and which soon gained the attention of advertising agencies such as Viva and Esquire. In parallel, he was also approached by a publishing company, hence allowing him to develop his fine art career. In 1976, Images of Women, his first book, was published, quickly followed by Professional Fashion Photography (1978) and The Fashion Photographer (1981), which provided an overview of the entire process of creating fashion photographs.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis took interest in his work and provided editorial direction of his next publication entitled "By The Sea", which won the Art Director’s award for color photography. Aside from numerous creative awards, Robert Farber also received the Photographer of the Year from PMA (Photographic Manufacturers Association), ASP International Award from the PPA (Professional Photographers of America) and The American Society of Photographers. This award is given to those made a significant contribution to the science and art of photography.

Farber’s work with nudes in fine art as well as in the commercial realm is known and respected. He has lectured for Ogilvy & Mather on the “Nude in Advertising.” ASMP requested to use Farber’s nudes as an examples of the artistic application in support of the National Endowment of Arts, after its backing of the controversial Mapplethorpe/Serrano exhibit. His book, “Farber Nudes,” was also included the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis estate collection.

Farber’s fine-art photographs have been published in virtually every form. Farber has exhibited in galleries and museums world-wide. He’s lectured at the Smithsonian Institute, The George Eastman House, as well as Universities and professional groups throughout the United States, Japan, Australia and Europe. Aside from his fine art photography, Robert Farber’s work encompasses major campaigns for fashion, beauty and advertising, as well as directing for TV and film. A documentary highlighting Farber’s life and career, is in development for PBS.

Today, in addition to important private collections, the artist’s photographs are held at the National Gallery of Art Washington DC, New York's Center of Photography, the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum in Miami, the Southeast Museum of Photography of Florida, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City, the International George Eastman House inn Rochester NewYork, the Dubrovnik Museum of Modern Art to name a few.