#modotti

Born in Italy on this day in 1896, Tina Modotti started her career as an actor and artist's model after moving to the United States in 1913. She met photographer Edward Weston in 1920 and three years later, the couple moved to Mexico City. While living in Mexico Modotti joined the Mexican Communist Party, and focused her photography on capturing images of Mexican women, children, workers, and artisans.

Happy birthday to the Italian actress, photographer, and political activist Tina Modotti, who has been called “the best-known unknown photographer of the twentieth century.” Modotti (1896–1942) was one of the most important modern photographers to emerge during Mexico’s artistic renaissance. Her sensitive yet charged images captured Mexico’s everyday sights and people while also highlighting the social and political strife of the time.