Berenice Abbott: Changing New York

A female in a male dominated profession, Berenice Abbott, prevailed to become one of the most recognizable photographers of the 20th century. Her celebrated photographic study of New York City, called Changing New York documented modern life and its transformation. Early in her career she spent several years in Paris where she worked as a darkroom assistant to Man Ray. It was there she met and became inspired by the work of Eugene Atget. 1930, upon moving back home Abbott, was struck at how quickly the 18th and 19th century architecture of New York City was disappearing before her eyes. Calling her love of the city a "Fantastic Passion," she felt an extreme urgency to capture it in the moment. 

After having her project proposal turned down multiple times including being denied twice for a Guggenheim, she persevered against great odds. In 1935 the Depression Era, New Deal, Federal Art Project, agreed to sponsor and fund her documentation of the city which later went on to become a book as well as a traveling exhibition. Choosing an 8 x 10 bulky view camera to record both the most minuscule details and the greatness of the city's structures, she created just over 300 images which she printed as contact prints. Ironically Berenice almost didn't live to make this incredible contribution to photography. In the winter 1919 she nearly died from the virulent influenza which took the lives of 12,000 New Yorkers. Her work is a visual reminder of the resiliency of humanity and the great city called New York.

Image © Man Ray Trust ARS-ADAGP