Beatrice Ullrich-Zuckerman collection

Beatrice Ullrich, a painter, photographer, writer, and lecturer, was born in Evanston, Illinois on August 26, 1907. She studied at Art Institute of Chicago and Northwestern University, earning BFA and MA degrees. Beatrice was active in California during the 1930s and 1940s, and returned to Chicago by the 1950s. Beatrice was first married to artist J.D. Prendergast, and later divorced and remarried to Murray Zuckerman. As an artist, she was known as B. Ullrich Prendergast in photography during the mid-century, but later known as B. Ullrich-Zuckerman.

Beatrice was a member of many organizations, including the Friends of Photography, National Artists Equity Association, and the San Francisco Women Artists. She is listed in the “Who’s Who in American Art” and “Who’s Who of American Woman.” Between 1939 and 1980, Beatrice exhibited her work across the country, including the Met, Carnegie Institute, Chicago Art Institute, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, Corcoran Gallery of Art, San Francisco Museum of Art, De Young Museum, among many others.

She was also a writer and lecturer, and wrote an article with Edward Weston in 1941 and 1942. Part I: Louisiana, 1941, brings alive a time unknown to Ben Maddow in Edward Weston: 50 Years. Beatrice photographed Weston working in the plantations and cemeteries. Part II, California, 1942, carries “the strong rhythms of [Weston’s] peak working days,” where Beatrice photographed him on Pt. Lobos.

Beatrice spent her later years in San Francisco and passed away on April 30, 1987.