Description
Alvin Langdon Coburn
Book Summary
This exhibition catalogue, published by Fundación Mapfre, offers an exhaustive look at the work of photographer Alvin Langdon Coburn, a key figure in the transition from pictorialism to modern photography. Through the reproduction of 180 photographs spanning his career, the reader will discover the evolution of an artist who captured the spirit of his time, from portraits of the London cultural elite to his innovative abstract vortices. An essential volume for understanding the history of photography and the perspective of one of its most unique pioneers.
What is it about?
The book analyzes Alvin Langdon Coburn's career in depth, from his beginnings influenced by pictorialism to the creation of his revolutionary "vortographs," considered the first abstract works in the history of photography. The catalogue not only reproduces 180 of his most representative photographs, but also includes a text by curator Pamela Glasson Roberts, which contextualizes his work within the artistic landscape of the early 20th century. Additionally, a technical atlas by Anne Cartier-Bresson reveals the processes and materials used by the photographer, offering a unique perspective on his working method.
Main themes
- Evolution of artistic photography: from pictorialism to abstraction.
- Portraits of the intelligentsia and the urban landscape of London and New York.
- Technical and experimental innovation in the photographic medium.
- Relationship between photography and 20th-century artistic avant-gardes.
- Study of the creative process and the restoration of photographic works.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at professional and amateur photographers, art historians, students of photography and visual communication, as well as collectors and lovers of classic photography. It will also be of great interest to any reader who wishes to learn about the work of a fundamental artist in the history of the image, whose work marked a turning point in the conception of photography as art.
What this book offers
- A complete visual journey through the career of Alvin Langdon Coburn, with 180 high-quality reproductions.
- Expert analysis and contextualization of his work by a specialized curator.
- Detailed technical information on the photographic processes used, of great value to specialists.
- The opportunity to understand the evolution of artistic photography through the work of one of its pioneers.
Technical specifications
- Author: Pamela Glasson Roberts
- Publisher: Fundación Mapfre
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Photography and photographers, Photographs: collections, Photojournalism, Gift books
- Collection: Exhibition catalogues
- Binding: Hardcover
- Publication date: December 2014
- Number of pages: 296
- Weight: 1580 g
Editorial review
This catalogue stands as a reference work for the study of Alvin Langdon Coburn, offering a perfect balance between the reproduction of his graphic work and critical analysis. The inclusion of a technical atlas makes it a valuable resource not only for the photography enthusiast, but also for the professional interested in historical processes. It is a meticulous and rigorous publication, characteristic of an institution such as Fundación Mapfre, which satisfies both the curiosity of the general reader and the demands of the specialist.