Napoleon Sarony’s Living Pictures: The Celebrity Photograph in Gilded Age New York

Napoleon Sarony was a famous American photographer during the Gilded Age, known for his grand portrait studio and celebrity clients. His book "Napoleon Sarony: Living Pictures" explores his career and how he used his larger-than-life image to promote photography as fine art. It also reveals never-before-published portraits and how Sarony's quest for creative recognition fueled the rise of celebrity culture and artistic photography in the US.

Format: Hardback
Length: 268 pages
Publication date: 12 December 2023
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

Napoleon Sarony, a renowned name in American photography during the Gilded Age, left an indelible mark on the art form. His grand portrait studio, adorned with a one-story-high marquee featuring his signature in golden letters, stood as a landmark in New York City, attracting celebrities like Oscar Wilde, Sarah Bernhardt, and Mark Twain. Sarony's story is a pivotal chapter in the history of photography, showcasing his remarkable career as a portrait photographer in the bustling metropolis.

Napoleon Sarony's Living Pictures delves into the life and work of Sarony, shedding light on his role as New York City's premier portrait photographer. During this era, the birth of celebrity culture and the expansion of mass media played a significant role in promoting the acceptance of photography as a fine art. Sarony's larger-than-life public image was instrumental in showcasing the creative potential of photography. At a time when photographers were often perceived as mere technicians or entrepreneurs, Sarony took a bold step by circulating self-portraits in outlandish costumes. These photographic performances established a strong connection between Sarony and the fashionable celebrity portraits that emerged from his studio in abundance.

By reconstructing Sarony's biography and presenting never-before-published portraits, Erin Pauwels offers a captivating perspective on how one artist's pursuit of creative recognition fueled the rise of celebrity culture and artistic photography in the United States. This book appeals to historians of photography, nineteenth-century American visual culture, and enthusiasts of Sarony and his celebrity subjects alike. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Pauwels provides a deep understanding of Sarony's life and artistic journey, leaving readers with a newfound appreciation for his contributions to the world of photography.

Weight: 1264g
Dimension: 213 x 263 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271095066