"As I recall, we are going back 50 years, we met as neighbors both living at 25 West 96th. We became friendly and I photographed him out in the Hamptons sailing, with the collector Ben Heller and at his studio after the fire." - Bob Adelman in 2015
Adolph and Esther Gottlieb met photographer Bob Adelman (1930 – 2016) in the mid 1960s. The couple and Adelman spent time together at the Gottlieb's Home in East Hampton, NY in the summer of 1964. There, Adelman captured dynamic photographs of the artist sailing and hosting company in his Apaquogue Road home. Back in New York City, Gottlieb and Adelman's friendship continued and was documented through Adelman's photographs of Gottlieb at home and in his studio.
Below is a selection of photographs of Adolph Gottlieb taken by his friend Bob Adelman.
Shown: Adolph Gottlieb sailing in East Hampton, NY, 1964. photo: ©Bob Adelman
Shown: Adolph Gottlieb sailing in East Hampton, NY, 1964. photo: ©Bob Adelman
Shown: Adolph Gottlieb sailing in East Hampton, NY, 1964. photo: ©Bob Adelman
Shown: Adolph and Esther Gottlieb sailing in East Hampton, NY, 1964. photo: ©Bob Adelman
Shown: Adolph and Esther Gottlieb sailing in East Hampton, NY, 1964. photo: ©Bob Adelman
Shown: Adolph Gottlieb with collector Ben Heller at the Gottlieb's home in East Hampton, NY, 1964. They are sitting in front of the paintings (left to right) Red and Green (1961) and Roman Two (1961). Photographer: Bob Adelman.
Artwork pictured: Adolph Gottlieb, Red and Green, 1961, oil on canvas, 72 x 41 1/2 inches. Collection: Yale University Art Gallery.
Roman Two, 1961, oil on canvas, 72 x 60 inches ©Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation/Licensed by ARS, New York, NY photo: ©Bob Adelman
Shown: Adolph Gottlieb photographed at home in front of his painting Groundscape (1956) New York, NY mid-1960s. Photographer: Bob Adelman.
Artwork pictured: Adolph Gottlieb, Groundscape, 1956, Oil on canvas, 84 x 144 inches ©Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation/Licensed by ARS, New York, NY photo: ©Bob Adelman
Shown: Adolph Gottlieb photographed at home in front of his painting Groundscape (1956) New York, NY mid-1960s. Photographer: Bob Adelman.
Artwork pictured: Adolph Gottlieb, Groundscape, 1956, Oil on canvas, 84 x 144 inches ©Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation/Licensed by ARS, New York, NY photo: ©Bob Adelman
Shown: Adolph Gottlieb photographed in his 22nd Street Studio making a note of the verso of Green Haze (1966), New York, NY mid-1960s. Photographer: Bob Adelman.
Art: Adolph Gottlieb, Green Haze, 1966, oil on canvas, 72 x 90 inches ©Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation/Licensed by ARS, New York, NY photo: ©Bob Adelman
Shown: Adolph Gottlieb photographed in his 22nd Street studio, New York, NY mid-1960s. photo: ©Bob Adelman
Shown: Adolph Gottlieb photographed in his 22nd Street studio. He is in front of (left to right) Icon (1964) and an unidentified painting New York, NY mid-1960s. Photographer: Bob Adelman.
Art: Adolph Gottlieb, Icon, 1964, Oil on canvas, 144 x 100 inches ©Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation/Licensed by ARS, New York, NY photo: ©Bob Adelman
Born in New York City in 1930, Bob Adelman grew up on Long Island and earned degrees from Rutgers University, Harvard University, and Columbia University. He studied photography with Alexey Brodovitch, the famed art director of Harper’s Bazaar magazine whose influence can be seen in the haunting beauty of Adelman’s images. With an avid interest in social and political events of the day, Adelman was drawn to the sit-ins staged by young students across the American South.
Throughout his career, Adelman captured some of the greatest New York artists. Adelman’s vast archive of New York artists includes photographs of Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, James Rosenquist, Larry Rivers, Donald Judd, Jasper Johns, Marisol Escobar, Red Grooms, Jeff Koons, Adolph Gottlieb, Barnett Newman, Robert Rauschenberg, Lucas Samaras, Jim Dine, David Hockney as well as influential New York art dealers. You can read Adelman's full bio here.