Susan Kismaric Bücher

Selected from 17 million prints preserved in the archives of The New York Times , the spectacular photographs in this book provide a spellbinding sample from the rich archive that is the twentieth century, as seen through the eyes of a great newspaper. Revealed is the extraordinary and omnivorous breadth of photography's vivid pictures of both World Wars; of presidents, mayors, dictators and celebrities; of Beatles fans and Halley's comet; of victims and perpetrators, riots and disasters; of Bill Bradley on the court and Willie Mays sliding into home--and a great many more. Underlying them all is the gripping immediacy that makes news photography not only an indispensable presence in the daily paper but a vital part of history. This book includes an illustrated chronology that traces the evolution of the technology and business of news photography, with special attention to the role of The New York Times and to the recent rise of digital technologies in newspaper production. Originally published to accompany an exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Manuel Alvarez Bravo has been a pivotal figure in Mexican photography and a major artist of the twentieth century, yet his extensive artistic journey has not been fully explored. Throughout his long career, he created a remarkable body of work, including early pictorialist pieces, formal abstractions, and images connected to surrealism. His mature photography encompasses portraits, urban and rural scenes, religious and vernacular subjects, landscapes, and nudes, all characterized by originality, poetry, and a commitment to human dignity. His deep affection for Mexico and its people has significantly shaped the global perception of the country. This book presents the most comprehensive and faithfully reproduced overview of Alvarez Bravo's achievements, featuring 175 tritone plates made from rare vintage prints, many of which are iconic in modern photography, while nearly half have never been published or exhibited since the 1930s. Susan Kismaric's extensive interviews with Alvarez Bravo enrich the narrative, tracing his extraordinary career and discussing his unique body of work. The essay highlights his international recognition and the universal themes in his intimate poetic imagery, providing a thorough examination of his oeuvre in relation to his life, pride in his heritage, and the avant-garde movements of his time.

The exhibition catalogue for a traveling show that originated at MoMA, NY, in 1987, presenting the photography of Jan Groover. Text by Susan Kismaric. 64 pages; 37 color and duo-toned b&w plates; 11.75 x 11 inches.