The Eakins Press Foundation has published "Lisette Model: The Jazz Pictures," a comprehensive collection of previously unpublished works by the renowned American documentary photographer and educator. This new publication showcases nearly 200 spontaneous and expressive prints and negatives that capture the vibrant essence of America's jazz scene during the 1940s and 1950s.
Model, who was originally trained as a pianist and studied under avant-garde composer Arnold Schoenberg, spent more than a decade documenting legendary jazz figures including Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, and countless other iconic performers of the era. Her work represented a particularly courageous artistic endeavor, given the increasingly politically charged atmosphere surrounding jazz music during that period.
The photographer's dedication to her craft became even more remarkable considering the personal risks she faced during the McCarthy era. Model herself was placed on a national security watch list due to her alleged connections to communism, making her documentation of the jazz scene a bold act of artistic defiance against growing political pressures.
The majority of the photographs featured in this cloth-bound volume have remained unpublished until now, offering readers an unprecedented glimpse into Model's extensive body of work. The collection includes an accompanying text by celebrated poet Langston Hughes, originally written for Model's initial book project that she was forced to abandon due to mounting political pressure during the Cold War period.
The publication features scholarly analysis by Audrey Sands, photography curator at Harvard Art Museums, who examines the complex societal and cultural pressures that influenced Model's work. Sands explores how Model's photography not only documented the jazz era but also inspired an entire generation of musicians and civil rights activists during a pivotal period in American history.
According to the publication details, this significant work represents one of the most important yet underappreciated bodies of mid-century American photography. The book includes contributions from multiple experts, with Audrey Sands serving as editor and providing textual analysis, while Loren Schoenberg contributes an afterword to provide additional historical context.
The full-color publication measures 25 x 30 cm and spans 240 pages, featuring 25 color photographs and 316 duotone images. "Lisette Model: The Jazz Pictures" is available with an ISBN of 9780871301024, with pricing set at $65.00 CAD, £100.00 GBP, and €56.00. The collection is available through the Eakins Press Foundation website at eakinspress.com and through Artbook at artbook.com.
