Leon Levinstein

Leon Levinstein was a master of street photography, which he pursued relentlessly throughout the neighborhoods of New York. Born in West Virginia, he settled in New York in 1946. Levinstein earned his living as a graphic designer, photographing in the evenings and on weekends. His mentors included Alexey Brodovitch, art director of Harper's Bazaar; Edward Steichen, curator of photography at the Museum of Modern Art; and Sid Grossman of the Photo League. Despite his powerful supporters, Levinstein rarely worked on commission and remained aloof from the art world.