25 years, 133 cultural icons: A private portrait series makes its public debut

A new exhibition at UC Berkeley’s Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life marks the first public presentation of photographer Nancy Lee Katz’s 133-piece “Pantheon” series, which portrays influential American cultural figures.

By Anne Brice

In a time when influencers abound and unabashed self-promotion feels almost de rigueur, late photographer Nancy Lee Katz stands out for having done just the opposite. 

Born into a Jewish family in Los Angeles in 1947, Katz spent the first half of her adult life traveling the world and working as an assistant film editor and still photographer. For the next 25 years, she pursued an ambitious private project: photographing American cultural figures whose work she admired. Reaching out by letter or email, she secured portraits of subjects ranging from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to architect Maya Lin, pop artist Roy Lichtenstein and pianist André Watts.

Few ever knew these portraits existed. That’s because Katz never exhibited, sold or published any of the photos — or even showed them to anyone. But now, for the first time, the complete collection will be on display at UC Berkeley’s Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life.