Ritual Vestalis 1900s - A group of women sitting next to each other

Frank Eugene was a photographer born in New York City in 1865. He was known for his Pictorialist style of photography, which emphasised the artistic qualities of the medium. Eugene was a member of the Photo-Secession movement, which was led by Alfred Stieglitz and aimed to elevate photography to the level of fine art. Eugene began his career as a painter, but turned to photography in the 1890s. He studied with the renowned photographer Gertrude Käsebier, who introduced him to the Pictorialist style. Eugene's photographs often featured soft focus, atmospheric lighting and carefully composed scenes that resembled paintings. Eugene travelled extensively throughout Europe, photographing landscapes, architecture and people. He was particularly interested in capturing the essence of different cultures and often used his camera to document the lives of working class people. In addition to his work as a photographer, Eugene was also a teacher and writer. He wrote several books on photography and taught at the Clarence H. White School of Photography in New York. Frank Eugene died in 1936 in Munich, Germany. His legacy as a pioneer of Pictorialist photography continues to influence contemporary photographers today.