TruthBeauty: Pictorialism and the Photograph as Art, 1845 -1945

by Alison Nordstrom

The photographs of the Pictorialist movement are among the most spectacular works of art in the medium's history. Showcasing soft focus, dramatic effects of light, unusual camera angles, and bold technical experimentation, the Pictorialists created highly atmospheric works that expanded photography's visual vocabulary and remain influential today. TruthBeauty celebrates this 100-year movement with stunning examples and an engaging history of its rise, scope, and impact on other branches of photography and on art. The 121 vintage photographs have been culled from collections worldwide, including 70 from the prestigious George Eastman House, North America's largest museum of photography. The book includes masterpieces by such luminaries as Julia Margaret Cameron, Edward Steichen, Ansel Adams, and Alfred Stieglitz. TruthBeauty expands readers' understanding of Pictorialism's international scope by featuring examples from the Czech Republic, Japan, and Australia. Essays by curator Alison Nordström, Luca Ackerman, Ryuchi Kaneko, Gael Newton, and David Wooters offer illuminating background, history, and context.

Genres: Photography, Reference, Art

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2008