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Julius Shulman Bio
Julius Shulman (1910-2009) was a pivotal American architectural photographer whose work was instrumental in shaping and promoting modernist architecture during the mid-20th century. In Southern California, he captured the sleek lines, open spaces, and innovative designs of modernist buildings, emphasising the harmony between these structures and their natural surroundings. Shulman's iconic images played a significant role in defining this architectural style and its cultural impact.
Intro to Shulman
Video at 1:08-8:00
Shulman Extended
Mid Century Modernism
The architectural trends and technological advancements of the mid-20th century significantly influenced Julius Shulman's photographic style and subject choices. During this period, modernist architecture, characterised by clean lines, open spaces, and a connection with the surrounding environment, gained prominence. Shulman was drawn to these innovative designs, which contrasted sharply with traditional architectural forms. His photographs often highlighted the relationship between the structures and their natural settings, capturing the essence of modernist principles. Technological advancements, such as improved camera equipment and film, allowed Shulman to experiment with new techniques, enhancing the clarity and composition of his images. His ability to use these tools effectively helped him become the premier photographer of mid-century modern architecture.
Left: Heet, E.(2010) 'Julius Shulman: 10/10/10' URL
1950s-60s Economic Boom
After World War II, the economy grew quickly and many people moved to new suburbs. This created a big demand for new houses and buildings. Architects like Richard Neutra, John Lautner, and Pierre Koenig designed modern homes that showed hope and new ideas for the future.
Julius Shulman took pictures of these buildings, and his photos were wanted by architects and builders who wanted to show off their work. Magazines and publications aimed at rich and fashionable people often used his photos. This helped make Shulman very famous.
Because his photos were seen by many people, they helped make modern architecture popular, especially among wealthy communities who wanted stylish, modern homes. Shulman’s work did more than just show buildings — it helped shape ideas about how people wanted to live after the war, making his photography a symbol of the American dream of smart, beautiful, and balanced living spaces.
Right: Heet, E.(2010) 'Julius Shulman: 10/10/10' URL
California Dreamin'
In 1950s California, rapid economic growth and Hollywood’s cultural reach helped transform modern architecture into a symbol of glamour, progress, and sophistication. This period saw a surge in experimental buildings that reflected the optimism of postwar America and the growing appetite for stylish, futuristic living. Wealth, media, and film played a key role in popularising this vision, turning California homes into aspirational icons of modern luxury.
Southern California became the heart of this movement, embracing the International Style and favouring design elements such as open-plan layouts, minimal ornamentation, and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces. Cities like Los Angeles and Palm Springs were home to some of the most celebrated examples of this architecture.
Julius Shulman’s photography played a critical role in defining and promoting the California modernist style. More than simply documenting buildings, his images glamorised a way of life — one that balanced elegance, innovation, and harmony with the environment. By making these designs appear accessible, aspirational, and forward-thinking, Shulman helped reshape ideas about urban planning and suburban living, leaving a lasting impact on architectural culture both in the United States and globally.
Film Story Recapped (2025) Don't Worry Darling Scene, URL (Watch 0:00-2:20)
Stylish Spaces
1950s Aesthetic
L.A. Confidential (1997) is a neo-noir film set in 1950s Los Angeles that shows the city’s crime and corruption. The film’s opening highlights the wealth of the era—cheap land, good jobs, and large, stylish homes that many people could afford. Hollywood stars took this further, living in homes that reflected the glamour and sophistication of the time.
freddiegibbs101 (2013) L.A. Confidential (1997) - intro, URL
1960s Aesthetic The Fantastic Four (2025)
The Fantastic Four did an incredible job through their set design, evoking themes and ideas of retro futurism. As the 60s were the era of humanity entering space (and landing on the moon in 1969), space themed fashion, interior design and décor became extremely prevalent. This shaped interiors to include round shaped, sleek furniture, sphere shaped lights and tv screens and bright and shiny surfaces.
Master of Modernism, Culture Shaper
Check out this article to learn more about Shulman's cultural contribution to a variety of architectural movements.
The American Dream
After World War II, the American Dream shifted from simply owning a home to aspiring toward a modern, stylish lifestyle that reflected progress, prosperity, and personal success. Economic growth, the rise of a middle class, and rapid suburban expansion created a strong demand for homes that were not only functional but also forward-looking and aspirational.
Julius Shulman’s photographs captured this changing ideal. By documenting the innovative designs of modernist architects like Richard Neutra and Pierre Koenig, he gave visual form to the new American Dream — light-filled, efficient homes with open plans, sleek materials, and a strong connection to nature. These homes projected optimism, individuality, and technological progress.
More than just records of architecture, Shulman’s images helped shape public desire. They appeared in magazines, advertisements, and exhibitions, making modern design not just acceptable, but desirable. His work reflected and reinforced a cultural moment where good design symbolised national confidence and a hopeful vision for the future.
Opulence
Both the burlesque scene in Don’t Worry Darling and Taylor Swift’s Bejeweled music video evoke mid-century opulence through lavish visuals—champagne and hard spirits flowing, diamond-studded costumes, grand performance venues, and an atmosphere of indulgent luxury. These elements channel the glamour and excess associated with the era’s high-society nightlife.
TW - Burlesque
Katyjean (2022) Taylor Swift Easter egg Bejeweled scene, URL
Money, Money, Money
The Wolf of Wall Street is a parody of the American Dream, showing how ambition and success can spiral into greed and corruption. While set decades later, it reflects the same values of excess and luxury that began to emerge during the 1950s–60s economic boom, when wealth and status became key symbols of personal achievement. The film exaggerates these ideals to critique the darker side of chasing prosperity.
TW - Drug use, course language, misogyny
kinobscura (2020) The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) - I always wanted to be Rich, URL (Watch 0:00-1:45)
Ongoing Culture
Julius Shulman played a major role in shaping how people saw Modern architecture. His photos helped turn buildings into icons and are now seen as fine art. He was given lifetime membership in the American Institute of Architects, and in 2005, he donated over 260,000 photos to the Getty Research Institute.
Today, his work still influences luxury culture. The eyewear brand Cutler and Gross used his Palm Springs images as inspiration for a high-end sunglasses collection. With prices often over $600, the glasses show how Shulman's style continues to shape modern ideas of design, status, and sophistication.
Right: Culture & gross (n.d) 'Julius Shulman: A Master of Modernism' URL
Extended Info: Interview with Shulman
Compare & Contrast
Kaufmann House (Palm Springs) – 1947
Jake Paul House Tour
How do the photos of Jake Paul’s mansion and Julius Shulman’s Kaufmann House show different ideas of wealth, lifestyle, and status in their time periods?
What do the design choices and photographic styles in each image tell us about the culture and values of the 1940s compared to today?
Class Activity