Bill Maris Shibui Photographs

Four photoprints and eleven transparencies created by Bill Maris, demonstrating "shibui" aesthetics. Maris worked with Ezra Stoller, who was credited as the primary photographer for the August 1960 issue of House Beautiful magazine, also known at the "shibui" issue. These photographs were possibly taken in the 1960s for the magazine, although they were not used. A lacquer tray featured in one of the transparencies was later donated to the Freer Gallery of Art by Elizabeth Gordon, editor in chief of House Beautiful.

Bill Maris (1924-1986) was a photographer, known primarily for his architectural photography. He was born in Queens, but grew up in Ohio, where his father operated a photography studio. Both his mother and one of his sisters were professional photographers, and Maris began learning about photography from a young age. During WWII, he enlisted in the army as a photographer, and after the war, he moved to New York City to continue his photography work. In New York, he met Ezra Stoller, who was known for his architectural photography. They formed a creative partnership and worked together from the early 1950s to the mid-1960s.

During this time, Stoller was commissioned to provide photographs for the August 1960 issue of House Beautiful magazine, also known as the "shibui" issue. This issue was a culmination of years of research and travel to Japan by House Beautiful editor in chief Elizabeth Gordon, and it is often credited with introducing American audiences to the concept of "shibui," along with renewing interest in Japanese style post-WWII. The photographs in Maris's collection were not used in the August 1960 issue or its follow-up September issue, which was about how to achieve the "shibui" aesthetic with American things. However, a lacquer tray owned by Gordon is featured in one of the transparencies. Gordon later donated this tray to the Freer Gallery of Art.

After ending his business partnership with Stoller, Maris continued to provide photographs for House Beautiful, along with other magazines such as House & Garden and Traditional Home. He also continued his architectural photography and worked for clients such as I.M. Pei, Robert A.M. Stern, and Richard Meier. In 1969, he hired Julie Semel as a photography assistant, and they later became equal creative partners. They married in 1977.

Maris, Bill, 1924-1986

Maris, Bill, 1924-1986

Semel, Julie, 1941-

Japan

Aesthetics, Japanese

Art, Japanese. -- United States

Interior decoration

Gift of Julie Semel in 2023.

Bill Maris Shibui Photographs

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Home furnishings

Photographs

Bill Maris Shibui Photographs. FSA.A2023.02. National Museum of Asian Art Archives. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

Arranged by format.

Permission to reproduce and publish an item from the Archives is coordinated through the National Museum of Asian Art's Rights and Reproductions department. Please contact the Archives in order to initiate this process.

Home furnishings

Photographs

Photographs -- 1950-1960 -- Black-and-white photoprints -- Silver gelatin

Collection is open for research.

The Elizabeth Gordon Papers, FSA.A1988.03. National Museum of Asian Art Archives. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Gift of Elizabeth Gordon, 1988.

Lacquer tray, 17th century / National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Gift of Mrs. Elizabeth Gordon Norcross, F1986.17

Bill Maris and Julie Semel Collection, 2012.MARIS. Pratt Institute School of Information On-Site Archives and Special
Collections, New York City, NY. Gift of Julie Maris/Semel.