The Eakins Press Foundation has published "Lisette Model: The Jazz Pictures," a comprehensive collection showcasing never-before-seen works by the celebrated American documentary photographer and educator. This groundbreaking publication presents Model's extraordinary documentation of America's jazz scene during the 1940s and 1950s, a period when the genre faced increasing political scrutiny.
Model, who originally trained as a pianist under avant-garde composer Arnold Schoenberg, spent more than a decade capturing intimate moments with jazz legends including Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, and numerous other luminaries of the era. Her work was particularly courageous given the political climate of the time, as jazz music was under heightened government surveillance and Model herself had been placed on the McCarthy-era National Security Watchlist due to alleged connections to Communism.
The clothbound volume features nearly 200 candid and expressive prints and negatives, with the majority of these images remaining hidden from public view until now. The collection offers an unprecedented glimpse into the vibrant world of mid-century American jazz culture through Model's distinctive photographic lens, capturing both the artistry and the social dynamics of this influential musical movement.
A significant highlight of the publication is the inclusion of accompanying text by renowned poet Langston Hughes, originally written for a book project that Model was ultimately forced to abandon due to mounting political pressure during the McCarthy era. This previously unpublished text adds crucial historical and cultural context to the visual narrative presented in Model's photographs.
Harvard Art Museums Curator of Photography Audrey Sands, who edited the collection and contributed analytical text, examines the complex societal and cultural pressures that shaped Model's work during this tumultuous period. Sands explores how these influences not only affected Model's artistic output but also inspired an entire generation of musicians and activists who were working to advance civil rights and artistic freedom.
The publication also includes an afterword by Loren Schoenberg, providing additional scholarly perspective on the significance of Model's contribution to both photography and jazz documentation. Together, these texts help establish this body of work as one of the most important yet underappreciated collections in mid-century American photography.
"Lisette Model: The Jazz Pictures" is published as a high-quality clothbound edition measuring 10 x 12 inches across 240 pages, featuring 25 color images and 316 duotone photographs. The book carries ISBN 9780871301024 and is available with a trade list price of $65.00 USD, $100.00 CAD, and £56.00 GBP through Eakins Press Foundation and select distributors.
