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Paris
L'air de Paris. The vivid history of the capital of love and photography
A city built on two millennia of history, Paris is entering the third century of its love story with photography. It was on the banks of the Seine that Niépce and Daguerre officially gave birth to this new art that has flourished ever since, developing a distinctive language and becoming a vital tool of knowledge. Paris: Portrait of a City recounts the history of the city in photographs ranging from Daguerre’s early incunabula to the most recent images—a span of over a century and a half of transformations. This book brings together the past and the present, the monumental and the everyday, objects and people. Images captured by the most illustrious photographers—Daguerre, Marville, Atget, Lartigue, Brassaï, Kertész, Ronis, Doisneau, Cartier-Bresson and many more—but also by many unknown photographers, attempt to bottle just a little of that “Parisian air,” something of that particular poetry given out by the stones and inhabitants of a constantly changing city that has inspired untold numbers of writers and artists over the ages.
About the series: Each compact and dynamic volume in TASCHEN’sPortrait of a City Piccolo series distills the vitality and history of each city into a billet doux packed with 150 photos accompanied by informative captions and inspiring quotations.
A city built on two millennia of history, Paris is entering the third century of its love story with photography. It was on the banks of the Seine that Niépce and Daguerre officially gave birth to this new art that has flourished ever since, developing a distinctive language and becoming a vital tool of knowledge. Paris: Portrait of a City recounts the history of the city in photographs ranging from Daguerre’s early incunabula to the most recent images—a span of over a century and a half of transformations. This book brings together the past and the present, the monumental and the everyday, objects and people. Images captured by the most illustrious photographers—Daguerre, Marville, Atget, Lartigue, Brassaï, Kertész, Ronis, Doisneau, Cartier-Bresson and many more—but also by many unknown photographers, attempt to bottle just a little of that “Parisian air,” something of that particular poetry given out by the stones and inhabitants of a constantly changing city that has inspired untold numbers of writers and artists over the ages.
About the series: Each compact and dynamic volume in TASCHEN’sPortrait of a City Piccolo series distills the vitality and history of each city into a billet doux packed with 150 photos accompanied by informative captions and inspiring quotations.
190 pages, Paperback
First published December 30, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 11, 2021
Realized my understanding of my favourite city was very superficial at best. This book is itself an exhibition that showcases the history of Paris through the lens of the cameras or the lens of different viewpoints. Readers can travel through time and space, and to appreciate this city a little more in depth. I loved the twilight blue color of the title on the cover and the bookmark, constantly reminding me of those blue rooftops of Parisian apartments.
January 3, 2026
Nádherná vizuální procházka historií Paříže.
January 13, 2024
Normally I'm not too much into books on cities but I couldn't resist the cover motif. Inside you'll get the best impression imaginable of that fascinating town. Its streets, building, how the Eiffel Tower was erected, its artists, Christos work, Lagerfeld, the Moulin Rouge... incredible portrait of a world famous town from past to present to today. Great photos and what a long history. Can highly recommend to visit this city and have a look at that volume!
December 11, 2024
I saw this book at Pottery Barn for about $75. In the few moments I flipped through it I knew I had to own it. I then found it online elsewhere for $30. It has 100+ years of rare and magnificent photos of life and architecture of Paris through two centuries of photography. Written next to 100s and 100s of photos in French, English and German,are detailed descriptions of what your seeing. A great book for any who love Paris and want to see more of it. It’s a keeper.
July 5, 2015
Este es el tercer libro de fotografías que "leo", y la verdad aunque me gustó en su gran mayoría, siento que no llegué a emocionarme como en los otros dos. Las imágenes recogían a famosos fotógrafos quienes capturaron a París en sus diversas épocas, donde la cultura se diversificaba cada vez más y las personas y los lugares se iban adaptando a los cambios que marcaban cada fecha. Me parece muy lindo el detalle de colocar frases de libros o poemas que hablaran de París, y las imágenes todas hermosísimas. Pero lo que no me convenció del todo fueron las imágenes a colores, hubiese preferido que las hubieran dejado en B/N, creo que así transmitían más para mí. Estoy deseando degustar la vista con más libros de fotografías :D
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews