Eugene Atget. Paris

Eugène Atget (1857–1927) was a flâneur and photographer who was obsessed with walking the streets of Paris. He supplied studies for painters, architects, and stage designers but became enraptured by the "documents" of the city and its environs. His scenes rarely included people, but rather the architecture, landscape, and artifacts that made up the societal and cultural stage. After his death, his fame grew, with several articles and a monograph by Berenice Abbott. This new TASCHEN edition gathers 500 photographs from the Atget archives to celebrate his outstanding eye for the urban environment and evocation of a Paris gone by.

Format: Hardback
Length: 624 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2020
Publisher: Taschen GmbH

Eugène Atget, a flâneur and photographer, was captivated by the streets of Paris. After exploring painting and acting, he turned to photography and settled in the city. While he provided studies for artists, architects, and stage designers, he was particularly drawn to capturing "documents" of the city and its surroundings. Atget's scenes rarely featured people, instead emphasizing the architecture, landscape, and artifacts that shaped the societal and cultural landscape.

During his lifetime, Atget was not widely recognized, but in the 1920s, he gained the attention of the Dada and Surrealist avant-garde through the work of Man Ray. Four of his images, characterized by their fusion of mimesis and mystery, were featured in the surrealist journal, La Révolution Surréaliste. Ray and his artistic circle also purchased Atget prints. Posthumously, Atget's fame grew, with several articles and a monograph by Berenice Abbott.

Many prominent photographers, including Walker Evans and Bill Brandt, have acknowledged their debt to Atget. This new TASCHEN edition presents a collection of over 500 photographs from the Atget archives at Musée Carnavalet and the Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris, showcasing his exceptional ability to capture the urban environment and evoke a bygone era of Paris.

From the bustling main streets to the quiet side streets, past shops and churches, through courtyards and arcades, and across the 20 arrondissements, Atget's photographs offer a unique portrait of a beloved city and the evolution of a modern photographic master. His images capture the essence of Paris, from its architectural details to the everyday life of its inhabitants, and serve as a testament to his enduring legacy in the world of photography.

Weight: 1010g
Dimension: 152 x 206 x 48 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783836522304