I believe you know Eugène Atget’s work. He is nowadays unmistakably one of the greatest photographic artists in the history of photography. However, have you ever imagined about photographic circumstances of his age?
Recently, from a book I learned that his photographic activity ranged roughly from 1890 through 1920, when photography was all about Pictorialism. Photography was trying to resemble paintings in order for approval as a “form of art.” Some may say Pictorialism was a dark period, but without it, photography would have never discovered its own expression. I would say it was indispensable for the evolution of photography itself.
A misfortune was that Atget could not call himself “an artist.” His straightness of photography is now recognized as “art,” but not back then in front of Pictorialism. After his death, good thirty years were necessary for us to forget about Pictorialism and appreciate true photographic quality in his work.
He is said to have left over 8,500 photographs behind. Although never being called an “artist,” his dedication and endeavor for the art of photography shall be appreciated forever, and I love to follow his path. Bravo Monsieur Atget! KT
Koyo Tamaki, photographic artist 