American photographer Berenice Abbott’s contribution to the photographic history of New York in the early to mid-20th century is a priceless record of the City’s transformation into the modern age.
She was inspired after meeting Eugene Atget, a French photographer who meticulously documented the streets of Paris during its similar transition in the late 19th to early 20th century. Upon her return to New York she promoted Atget’s work and essentially established his reputation as one of the greats in urban documentary photography.
Abbott’s own work: photographing New York, its streets, architecture and people, brought her wide recognition for its artistry, scope and cultural value. She also explored other aspects of photography, notably scientific photography (wave studies).
For more on Abbott and her work, please visit the links below.
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Sources:
https://www.howardgreenberg.com/artists/berenice-abbott/featured-works?view=thumbnails
https://www.moma.org/artists/41
https://www.holdenluntz.com/artists/berenice-abbott/west-street/
Selected Works:
George Romanation 