Berenice Abbott (1898-1991) was an influential American photographer known for her remarkable contributions to documentary photography and her dedication to capturing the changing urban landscape. She is particularly recognized for her project titled """"Changing New York,"""" which documented the transformation of New York City during the 1930s. Abbott began her career as a sculptor in Paris, where she became acquainted with renowned artists and intellectuals of the time, including Man Ray and Marcel Duchamp. However, she soon turned her attention to photography, influenced by the avant-garde movements and the work of Eugène Atget, a French photographer known for his documentation of Paris. Upon returning to the United States in 1929, Abbott embarked on her most significant project, """"Changing New York."""" Commissioned by the Federal Art Project, a branch of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the project aimed to visually record the city's architectural and social changes. Abbott captured the contrast between old and new structures, neighborhoods, and everyday life in over 300 photographs, providing a comprehensive and valuable documentation of the city's evolution. Abbott's photographic style was characterized by her use of straightforward compositions, sharp focus, and attention to detail. Her images often revealed a deep understanding of light and form, transforming mundane subjects into captivating scenes. She believed in the importance of objectivity in documentary photography, striving to represent the essence of her subjects accurately. Beyond """"Changing New York,"""" Abbott also made significant contributions to scientific photography, particularly in her collaboration with physics professor Harold Edgerton. Together, they developed innovative techniques to capture scientific phenomena and produced groundbreaking images. Berenice Abbott's work has had a lasting impact on the field of photography, inspiring subsequent generations of documentary photographers. Her dedication to preserving and portraying the urban environment continues to be recognized as a valuable historical record and a testament to her artistic vision and technical prowess.
Measures 9 x 12
Printed circa 1990s
Verso is blank.
Mounted to archival quality paper.