Photography: A Facet of Modernism : Photographs from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art - Hardcover

Coke, director of photography at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and du Pont, a curator, have selected photographs from the museum's collection that include practitioners in the fields of formalism, surrealism, expressionism and pluralism. Some images verge on the grotesque or are at least unsettling, including a Larry Clark picture of a pregnant women injecting drugs into her arm; the bloated, naked figures in Joel-Peter Witkin's "The Prince Imperial"; and Frederick Sommer's "Chicken Entrails." Other photos chronicle the dreary, difficult side of 20th century life, including Robert Frank's "City Fathers, Hoboken" and Roy DeCarava's "Man Coming up Subway Stairs, New York." Philippe Halsman contributes a cheerful if sexually overloaded shot with "Popcorn Nude." This is an eclectic selection that provides a useful introduction to some trends in modern photography.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Chronologically arranged images of American and European photographers illustrate this history of modern photography, which accompanies an exhibit. The work of each photographer is shown with one of four aesthetic movements: formalism (Cubism and Constructivism); Surrealism (dream imagery); Expressionism (strong emotional content); and pluralism (e.g., Conceptual art). Each artist has a two-page spread showing several images, an interpretive footnoted essay, and a short biography and portrait. The reproductions capture subtle nuances of tone and color. Highly recommended for its presentation of many lesser-known photographers and images, illuminating text, thorough documentation, and thoughtful layout. Kathleen Collins, Library of Congress
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.