Judy Glickman Lauder’s Vast Trove of Photography Is a Portrait of Its Collector

Judy Glickman Lauder, a seasoned collector and photographer with roots extending back to the 1970s, has curated a remarkable assemblage of photographic works that now embarks on a nationwide exhibition tour. Her collection, featuring approximately 100 prints by 50 artists, presents a multifaceted exploration of human presence and vulnerability, drawing from moments both ordinary and historically significant.

The exhibition, titled "Presence: The Photography Collection of Judy Glickman Lauder," debuted this summer at the Southampton Arts Center in New York. Organized in collaboration with the American Federation of Arts and the Portland Museum of Art in Maine, the display is thoughtfully segmented into eight thematic sections. It highlights distinguished photographers such as Nan Goldin, Graciela Iturbide, Danny Lyon, Susan Meiselas, Gordon Parks, and James Van Der Zee, whose works collectively capture the breadth of the human condition.

The concept behind the exhibition’s title resonates with theorist Roland Barthes’ idea that photography serves as a "certificate of presence," underscoring the medium’s power to testify to existence and experience. This philosophical underpinning guides the viewer through images that range from intimate personal portraits to compelling photojournalistic accounts of social justice and historical upheavals.

Lauder’s personal journey into photography and collecting was deeply influenced by her father, an avid photographer connected to prominent figures like Ansel Adams and Edward Weston. Her early exposure to the photographic process, including darkroom work and high-speed infrared film, laid the foundation for her eventual creative pursuits and her dedication to preserving visual history.

Among her most poignant photographic endeavors is her documentation of Holocaust sites across Eastern Europe during the 1980s and 1990s. Employing infrared film, Lauder captured haunting images of former concentration camps, ghettos, and memorials, lending her work a timeless and evocative quality. Her commitment extended to assembling an exhibit on the Danish rescue of Jews during World War II, incorporating firsthand interviews and site visits that enriched the historical narrative.

The collector’s passion extends to a broad range of subjects and styles within 20th-century photography. Her acquisitions include early surrealist works by Jerry Uelsmann, dance and winter scenes by Barbara Morgan, and poignant civil rights era photographs documenting key moments from Selma to Birmingham. Her collection also embraces a spectrum of human experiences, from labor struggles captured by Sebastião Salgado to candid celebrity portraits, reflecting her enduring fascination with the human spirit and social realities.

Over the decades, Lauder amassed roughly 700 images, which she has now entrusted to the Portland Museum of Art. This transfer allows for greater public access and preservation of the collection, which she describes as a reflection of her own interests and the historical currents that shaped her sensibilities. While she continues to appreciate contemporary photography, her primary focus remains on images created between the 1940s and 1990s, a period she feels offers a rich and enduring visual language.

The touring exhibition will continue its journey to other institutions, including the Sarasota Art Museum in Florida and the Gibbes Museum of Art in South Carolina, extending the reach of Lauder’s curated vision. Each venue offers an opportunity for audiences to engage with the layered narratives embodied in the photographs, from moments of joy and humor to those marked by struggle and resilience.

Lauder’s own photographic contributions, particularly those relating to Holocaust memorialization and cultural history, form a vital component of the collection. Her work complements that of the other artists, adding a personal dimension to the overarching themes of memory and presence.

Her collecting philosophy is rooted in a profound respect for photography as an accessible and immediate form of storytelling. Unlike other art forms that may require specialized knowledge, photography’s universal language resonates broadly, capturing the essence of human experience in a way that is both intimate and collective.

In recent years, Lauder has expanded her acquisitions to include candid celebrity images and portraits of notable figures like Edward Hopper, underscoring her ongoing engagement with photographic art as both a historical document and a source of cultural insight. Despite changes in the art market, she encourages exploration and discovery, emphasizing the enduring value found in authentic visual narratives.

Judy Glickman Lauder’s photography collection stands as a testament to the power of images to preserve history, evoke emotion, and celebrate the diverse facets of humanity. Through its public exhibition, it invites viewers to reflect on the many stories photographs silently convey, underscoring the timeless relevance of the medium.