The Photographic Book

Publishing was the primary means of disseminating photography until it gained a foothold in museums during the second half of the 20th century. Beginning in the mid-19th century, the photographic book was the subject of ever-renewed creativity thanks to constant advances in printing technology, which made it possible to explore a wide variety of print qualities and ensure low-cost reproduction. 

“The photobook is an art form in its own right, comparable to a sculpture, a play, or a film. Photographs lose their photographic character as objects ‘in and of themselves’ and become components—expressed in printing ink—of an exceptional creation called a book.”

Ralph Prins, in conversation with Cas Oorthuys in 1969, quoted in Mattie Boom and Rik Suermondt, *Photography between Covers: The Dutch Documentary Photobook After 1945*, Fragment Uitgeverij, Amsterdam, 1989, p. 12 – cited in Martin Parr and Gerry Badger, *The Photobook: A History*, Volume 1, 2005, p. 7. 

Lucien Birgé’s library, which includes more than 25,000 international publications dating from the late 19th century to the present, bears witness to this rich and varied history of photographic publishing. It reflects all the uses and forms of photography, ranging from commissioned and propaganda work, through the predominant documentary genre, to formal and creative approaches. 

The prospect of this exceptional donation to the Institut pour la photographie provides an opportunity to launch a series of exhibitions dedicated to this unique medium for sharing photography. Unlike a print, the challenge of the book lies in its overall coherence, which serves to reinforce the author’s message and offer the reader a unique experience. The selection of images, their sequence and layout, the placement of text, the choice of graphic design and typography, the quality of the paper and printing, the format, the binding, and the cover are all factors to consider during the design and production phases. 

This exhibition, based on the initial donation of 2,053 books in 2020 and supplemented by loans from the collector, presents a selection of books by both iconic and lesser-known authors that explore the art of sequencing and laying out photographs. Authors and their graphic designers have a wide range of options—from choosing image formats to arranging them on the page—to guide our interpretation of individual images and sustain our interest. 

↘︎ Curating: Anne Lacoste with Zoé Isle de Beauchaine

↘︎ In collaboration with: Lucien Birgé  

↘︎ Production: Institut pour la photographie