Masterpieces of Socialist Realist Photography, 1930s, on view online from September 10 to November 30, 2024, presents a rare selection of vintage gelatin-silver prints by pioneers of Soviet photography, including such luminaries as Boris Ignatovich (1899-1976), Arkady Shaikhet (1898-1959), Georgy Petrusov (1903-1971), Sergey Shimansky (1898-1972), Naum Granovsky (1910-1984), Emmanuil Evzerikhin (1911-1984), and Yakov Khalip (1908-1980). These photographers left an indelible mark on the history of their medium, shaping the narrative of their nascent country through striking new visual forms and introducing fresh perspectives and bold compositions.
This exhibition includes not only some of the most iconic photographs of the era, but examples of some of the high-quality printmaking that is unparalleled even today. Meticulous attention to light, tone, and texture has transformed each image into a unique and exquisite object of art.
