Special offer

Finding Vivian Maier

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker 475.140531

Vivian Maier was an unknown Chicago photographer who would have been a famous artist had she shared her work. I love black and white people photography and this story blew me away when I read about it 6 months or so ago and now WTTW our PBS channel in Chicago has a piece about it on Chicago tonight. 

There is also a chat with Jeff Garlin the comedian who was also on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Jeff is from Chicago and a native of Second City which produced almost all the cast of Saturday Night Live. People from John Belshi, Dan Aykroyd, Alan Arkin, John Candy, Joan Rivers, Bill Murray, Mike Myers just scratches the surface but that is not what this post is about.

This woman Vivian Maier went around for years and took pictures and basically kept them to herself. She was a nanny in Chicago and took photography in her spare time. Upon her passing a Realtor found 30,000 negatives and some prints and they are amazing. I could go on and on but this story thrills me so I am gonna keep it short and let you play around with this on your own if you are interested. I promise you will like all this material.

First check out this video 

Finding Vivian Maier 

Her site

Even a little more for the curious

 

Comments(32)

Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

What a nice story. I hope everyone can enjoy her work and beauty. Thank you for the nice comment this morning. have a good Friday

Apr 03, 2014 10:15 PM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Thanks Gabe, Scott you guys have a great day.

Apr 03, 2014 10:18 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Noah - I remember reading the story of Vivian Maier as well and I've bookmarked this post so I can see the video when time permits.  

Apr 04, 2014 01:03 AM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Thanks Michael, I recommend you do if you like photography and a very interesting story.

Apr 04, 2014 01:35 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks, Noah, for sharing this video. Very interesting. I had seen previous news reports.

It would be a lot of fun to develop some of her photographs. 

Apr 04, 2014 02:27 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Noah,

What a great story, and it would be wonderful to see those shots developed. A

Apr 04, 2014 03:58 AM
Beth and Richard Witt
New York, NY
The best Retired Brokers !!!!

Noah ... this is amazing... I looked at some of the photos and they are just beautiful... I thank you for sharing this and I will come back for more... Happy Day

Apr 04, 2014 11:51 PM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Roy, Alexandra, Richard and Beth thank you for reading about a truly amazing person. I enjoyed this piece so much and it made me really think about what made her tick.

Apr 05, 2014 03:29 AM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Noah, I just went out to the Vivian Maier's website spent the last 45 minutes looking at the photos posted there.  Another agent joined me...just couldn't stop looking.  Truly amazing work and even more so that all her work wasn't found until after her death.

Apr 05, 2014 05:03 AM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Glad you liked it Nick, I am going to try and see a show of her work one of these days.

Apr 05, 2014 05:48 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Apr 05, 2014 11:20 AM
John G. Johnston
John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC - Westcliffe, CO
An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO

Noah  WOW!  NY  in the 50's, Chicago in the 60's plus France.  Ditto on Nick's comments.

Thanks for sharing!

Apr 05, 2014 01:52 PM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Noah-Great story. Interesting how some can take the mundane and make it interesting. Of course the passage of time helps in this case. Since I like history, I enjoy viewing old photos.

Apr 05, 2014 02:22 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

What an amazing find!  She had such a wonderful talent.  Her photographs are superb.

Apr 05, 2014 09:24 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Noah. I saw story about this woman on television last week and was touched and amazed by her work.

Apr 05, 2014 10:12 PM
Brad MacKenzie
Brad MacKenzie - Duxbury, MA
Turning Houses into Homes on the South Shore

Very interesting. I imagine we'll find a lot of hidden talent as this generation of people age.

Apr 05, 2014 10:34 PM
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Noah, after looking at the website and just a few of her pictures it's obvious that a full appreciation is imminent.  The self portraits alone are remarkable and I can only imagine what the complete works entail.  I'm so glad to have had the introduction to this fabulously talented photographer.  Thank You!  Here via Kathy S. whom I also must thank.   

Apr 05, 2014 11:47 PM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Noah, thanks for this post. I would never have known about Vivian Maier. What a brilliant find for a Realtor® too! I hope you get to see the exhibit in your city. 

Apr 06, 2014 09:57 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Noah, I enjoyed this story and loved the video about Vivian Maier's photography.  She was a wonderful artist!  Thank you for sharing her story!

Apr 06, 2014 12:46 PM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Glad you folks enjoyed this, I sure did. I do not understand why she kept it all to herself all those years? I guess she did her photography for personal use? 

Apr 06, 2014 02:19 PM