American Photography: the full scope of photography’s power in American life

“American Photography returns again and again to a central tension between how America would like to see itself, and how it really looks.” – the New York Times

Today opens the new photography exhibition at Rijksmuseum. Together with this exhibit the book American Photography is released.

America is by far the most important and influential country in photography. Since its invention in 1839, photography has become deeply embedded in American society – no other country showcases the medium as widely, visibly or influentially. The book captures this connection through over 280 images, portraying American life through the lenses of renowned photographers such as Robert Frank, Andres Serrano, Nan Goldin, Andy Warhol, Diane Arbus, Dawoud Bey, Carleton Watkins and Paul Strand. But true to the best Rijksmuseum tradition, the book does not dutifully adhere to the classical canon. Instead, it also features many lesser-known images – ranging from early advertising photographs to photographs for private use – that are nonetheless stunning and surprisingly powerful, offering a fresh, renewed perspective on photography in America.

Get the book in our webshop or in your local bookshop.

Press

‘American Photography […] returns again and again to a central tension between how America would like to see itself, and how it really looks.” –  the New York Times

‘American Photography: unforgettable images of the beauty and brutality of a nation’ –  The Guardian

“An 1840 selfie to 1960s advertising: Eight images that tell the story of America” – BBC