American Photographs: The First Century

American Photographs: The First Century

In the nineteenth century, people from all walks of life embraced the new medium of photography with unparalleled enthusiasm. All of their aspirations and commonplace interests converge in the picture of nineteenth-century America vividly brought to life in American Photographs: The First Century. Seventy-nine colorplates are supplemented by over a hundred four-color images. More than two-thirds of these works are reproduced for the first time in this volume.From Library JournalDrawn from the collection of Charles Isaacs in the National Museum of American Art, this lovely book presents the many dimensions of photography at its very best, whether as art form, historical document, or curiosity. On one level, the historical photographs are simply a treat for the viewer, yet each embodies key social and cultural significance. Collectively, the photographs offer an intimate portrait and sweeping panorama of American history. Curator of photography at the Smithsonian, Foresta does a wonderful job of both grounding each image in its moment in history and weaving the various threads of its story. The book is nicely designed, and the black-and-white photographs, as well as the hand-tinted color images, are beautifully reproduced. For anyone with an interest in photography or American social and cultural history; highly recommended.?Raymond Bial, Parkland Coll. Lib., Champaign, Ill.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.About the AuthorMerry A. Foresta has held the position of curator for photography at the National Museum of American Art since 1983.