We present to you a project that has taken quite a prominent place in the history of photography. In 1975 Nicholas Nixon started photographing his wife Bebe and her three sisters every year, once a year. Always in the same order; Heather, Mimi, Bebe, Laurie.
This magnificent project clearly illustrates that the true work of art is not comprised primarily of techniques and skills, but the original idea. Besides the photographs themselves being quite interesting, it’s really exeptional to see the history and change of these women.
The Brown Sisters in 1975
The Brown Sisters in 1976
The Brown Sisters in 1977
The Brown Sisters in 1978
The Brown Sisters in 1979
The Brown Sisters in 1980
The Brown Sisters in 1981
The Brown Sisters in 1982
The Brown Sisters in 1983
The Brown Sisters in 1984
The Brown Sisters in 1985
The Brown Sisters in 1986
The Brown Sisters in 1987
The Brown Sisters in 1988
The Brown Sisters in 1989
The Brown Sisters in 1990
The Brown Sisters in 1991
The Brown Sisters in 1992
The Brown Sisters in 1993
The Brown Sisters in 1994
The Brown Sisters in 1995
The Brown Sisters in 1996
The Brown Sisters in 1997
The Brown Sisters in 1998
The Brown Sisters in 1999
The Brown Sisters in 2000
The Brown Sisters in 2001
The Brown Sisters in 2002
The Brown Sisters in 2003
The Brown Sisters in 2004
The Brown Sisters in 2005
The Brown Sisters in 2006
The Brown Sisters in 2007
The Brown Sisters in 2008
The Brown Sisters in 2010
Nicholas Nixon with his wife, Bebe.
Information and image sources: 1 2 3
“This magnificent project clearly illustrates that the true work of art is not comprised primarily of techniques and skills, but the original idea.”
Sorry, but that is nonsense. “Original Idea” without masterful execution is as worthless as masterful execution without “Original Idea”.
The world littered with poorly executed works wherein the idea is primary, and skill, execution, communicativeness, are ignored.
Further, the process in this photo set is hardly original – it is simply a variation of the old parental standard of marking a child’s height on the wall every year, and many photographers have tracked the same model, photo by photo, over an extended period of time.
@C. Monet
In time you surely will show us better and maybe more impressive examples that tell such an even impressive history without words? I’am anxious to see some.
@C. Monet – Geez, why couldn’t you just accept that it’s a neat project? Your post reminds me of the saying, modern art = “I could’ve done that” + “yeah, but you didn’t”
Trop bonne
Deus Abençoe, não contive as lágrimas, achei lindo tudo isso,
Great project! Discovered it in a book published by the editors of Life. I can relate to the project since I am in the Boomer age group like the subjects and have watched the changes in me and my family with a similar project of a yearly Christmas photo in which my children grow up and I grow older.
Es triste ver como se pasa la vida y cómo se nos va la juventud.
Esta serie de fotos tiene una gran belleza pero tambien me producen tristeza. Un gran trabajo fotografico
Wow! It is a beautiful project. I love those photos – so simple and uncontrived and honest. The title of “time has no mercy” is unfortunate and misleading. Time seems to have been extremely merciful to these beautiful sisters. I love that the photos are in black and white, lending to their simplicity and focusing on the faces. How wonderful that you were able to get the four sisters together every year for their photograph no matter what. I love that the settings are different, that the love among the women is evident by small gestures, that there is no attempt to adorn the subjects with makeup or fancy clothes. Bravo!