Ivan Dmitri

Ivan Dmitri (or Dmitre)(1900-1968), born Levon West, was an artist from North Dakota, USA. The son of a Congregational minister, Levon West moved often as a boy, as his father preached in a series of North Dakota towns.

West was the valedictorian of his high school class in Harvey, North Dakota. He later studied at the University of Minnesota. He wanted to take almost entirely art courses but his father insisted that he major in business administration.

After the famous transatlantic flight of Charles Lindbergh, Levon West memorialized the event with a popular etching. This led to a series of successful etchings. He was also a skilled watercolorist.

It was when he began working with color photography that Levon West used the name "Ivan Dmitri." As Ivan Dmitri, he helped to gain acceptance for photography as an art medium. In 1959, Ivan Dmitri founded Photography in the Fine Arts.