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The Idea of Louis Sullivan
A new edition of the author's classic, long-out-of-print, photographic study of the work of architect Louis Sullivan is accompanied by excerpts from Sullivan's own writings, contemporary critical analyses of the architect's work, new duotone reproductions, and a new introduction assessing Sullivan's influence on the history of modern architecture. 15,000 first printing.
- GenresArchitecturePhotography
184 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2000
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About the author
John Szarkowski
69 books30 followersJohn Szarkowski was an American photographer and curator best known for his role as the director of the Museum of Modern Art’s Photography Department from 1962 through 1991. “Photography is the easiest thing in the world if one is willing to accept pictures that are flaccid, limp, bland, banal, indiscriminately informative, and pointless,” he once explained. “But if one insists in a photograph that is both complex and vigorous it is almost impossible.”
Born Thaddeus John Szarkowski on December 18, 1925 in Ashland, WI, he went on receive a degree in art history from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1948. After working as a museum photographer at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, he moved to Buffalo to teach photography. The artist then relocated to Chicago, where he worked on his photobook The Idea of Louis Sullivan (1956). After his appointment at MoMA in 1962, Szkarowski would help launch the careers of Diane Arbus, Lee Friedlander, and William Eggleston, among several others during his tenure. He also published acclaimed books on the history of photography, including The Photographer’s Eye (1966) and Looking at Photographs: 100 Pictures from the Collection of The Museum of Modern Art (1973).
After retiring from the museum in 1991, Szarkowski resumed his own career in photography. He died on July 7, 2007 in Pittsfield, MA. Today, the artist’s works are held in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, among others.
Born Thaddeus John Szarkowski on December 18, 1925 in Ashland, WI, he went on receive a degree in art history from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1948. After working as a museum photographer at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, he moved to Buffalo to teach photography. The artist then relocated to Chicago, where he worked on his photobook The Idea of Louis Sullivan (1956). After his appointment at MoMA in 1962, Szkarowski would help launch the careers of Diane Arbus, Lee Friedlander, and William Eggleston, among several others during his tenure. He also published acclaimed books on the history of photography, including The Photographer’s Eye (1966) and Looking at Photographs: 100 Pictures from the Collection of The Museum of Modern Art (1973).
After retiring from the museum in 1991, Szarkowski resumed his own career in photography. He died on July 7, 2007 in Pittsfield, MA. Today, the artist’s works are held in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, among others.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 12, 2024
When I was fourteen I went with my first date to a concert at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago. The music didn’t do much for me, but I found the building astounding. I ended up spending more time perusing the lobby than listening to the songs. “The Idea of Louis Sullivan” takes me back to that day, and every other day that I stumbled upon a Sullivan masterpiece.
Although some of the writing was interesting, the real prize was the pictures. It wasn’t just the architecture, although that, of course, was stunning. It was their exceptional portrayal. The play of lights and shadows, the compositions, those elaborate details, all of it deeply moved me.
The man behind the images, John Szarkowski, was a renown curator of photography at MOMA. While occupying this position he became instrumental in the acceptance photography as an art form.
I can’t call myself a fan of Szarkowski’s writing (I find it tedious) but he was wonderful behind the camera. He had exquisite taste, and has written many photography books. This edition was an early effort.
If anyone doubted the legitimacy of the camera as an instrument of art, they’d be hard pressed to keep that opinion after experiencing “The Idea of Louis Sullivan”. This worthy book, honoring one of the twentieth century’s great masters, would beguile them.
Although some of the writing was interesting, the real prize was the pictures. It wasn’t just the architecture, although that, of course, was stunning. It was their exceptional portrayal. The play of lights and shadows, the compositions, those elaborate details, all of it deeply moved me.
The man behind the images, John Szarkowski, was a renown curator of photography at MOMA. While occupying this position he became instrumental in the acceptance photography as an art form.
I can’t call myself a fan of Szarkowski’s writing (I find it tedious) but he was wonderful behind the camera. He had exquisite taste, and has written many photography books. This edition was an early effort.
If anyone doubted the legitimacy of the camera as an instrument of art, they’d be hard pressed to keep that opinion after experiencing “The Idea of Louis Sullivan”. This worthy book, honoring one of the twentieth century’s great masters, would beguile them.
August 9, 2008
A very poetic and personal photo/text diary by Szarkowsky himself in 1956 (renewed copyright edition 1984 is exquisitely printed witsch duotone photos for this latest new edition from 2000). Shows John Szaarkowsky the scholar, historian and the artist.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews