Noted Architectural Photographer Balthazar Korab Dead at 86

**Kathleen** · January-17-13, 08:26 AM

Tuesday evening I attended the Eero Saarinen lecture at the Cranbrook Museum of Art. That got me to thinking about a chance encounter with Balthazar Korab in the Museum back in 2008 during the Saarinen Symposium there. Korab had worked for Eero Saarinen back in the 50s and was present for this event to share his memories and to hear those of others who worked with Saarinen. I was wandering around the Museum alone to revisit some of the Saarinen exhibit...when I ran into Korab, also alone. I asked if I could take a photo of him...on my little point & shoot digital camera!!! He said yes, and so I have a beautiful photo of this icon of architectural photography...he with his white hair and beard, wearing a red felt fedora!! Sometime later I asked him to autograph a copy of my photo.

I first heard of Balthazar Korab back in the late 1960s...when I was collecting postcards and bought some of Detroit, bearing his name as the photographer. What an unusual name!! I never forgot it...and then learned of his architectural photography in later years.

Within the last couple years, Korab and his wife Monika moved from Troy to Minnesota to be near their only child, a son, Christian. And their Troy home and studio was sold.

Sad to hear of his death this morning!! And he died on Tuesday...no wonder I was thinking about him!!!

John Gallagher, whose Great Architecture of Michigan book was filled with Korab photos, wrote the obituary that appears in today's Detroit Free Press:
http://www.freep.com/article/2013011...zar-Korab-dies

From Crain's Detroit Business:
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...zar-korab-dies#

From ARTINFO:
http://blogs.artinfo.com/objectlesso...odernism-dies/

R.I.P. Korab!!

**cman710** · January-17-13, 09:40 AM

Kathleen,

Thanks for relating that story. Very interesting, and it was nice to read about Balthazar's life. I will have to try to check out some of his work.

**southen** · January-17-13, 11:07 AM

i have several korab photos hanging in my home. if you arent familiar with his work check him out. much of his portfolio coincides with detroit in the 50's and 60's when we were at the front of the modern design movement.

**Honky Tonk** · January-17-13, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by Kathleen

Tuesday evening I attended the Eero Saarinen lecture at the Cranbrook Museum of Art. That got me to thinking about a chance encounter with Balthazar Korab in the Museum back in 2008 during the Saarinen Symposium there. Korab had worked for Eero Saarinen back in the 50s and was present for this event to share his memories and to hear those of others who worked with Saarinen. I was wandering around the Museum alone to revisit some of the Saarinen exhibit...when I ran into Korab, also alone. I asked if I could take a photo of him...on my little point & shoot digital camera!!! He said yes, and so I have a beautiful photo of this icon of architectural photography...he with his white hair and beard, wearing a red felt fedora!! Sometime later I asked him to autograph a copy of my photo.

I first heard of Balthazar Korab back in the late 1960s...when I was collecting postcards and bought some of Detroit, bearing his name as the photographer. What an unusual name!! I never forgot it...and then learned of his architectural photography in later years.

Within the last couple years, Korab and his wife Monika moved from Troy to Minnesota to be near their only child, a son, Christian. And their Troy home and studio was sold.

Sad to hear of his death this morning!! And he died on Tuesday...no wonder I was thinking about him!!!

John Gallagher, whose Great Architecture of Michigan book was filled with Korab photos, wrote the obituary that appears in today's Detroit Free Press:
http://www.freep.com/article/2013011...zar-Korab-dies

From Crain's Detroit Business:
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...zar-korab-dies#

From ARTINFO:
http://blogs.artinfo.com/objectlesso...odernism-dies/

R.I.P. Korab!!

Nice post. Good articles, GREAT photos. I used to love shooting in black & white. The guy's good. Thanx.