The Last Photographic Heroes

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The photography revolution in America during the sixties and seventies was as groundbreaking as the music of the era. Between Robert Frank's influential "The Americans" in 1958 and the emergence of postmodernist Cindy Sherman in the early 1980s, a group of photographers sought to create a distinct photographic language that transformed documentary photography and expanded the expressive potential of the medium. These artists, embodying the spirit of a dynamic modernity, embraced the medium's limitless possibilities and dedicated themselves to revitalizing it through innovative approaches. Gilles Mora introduces readers to these visionary photographers and the curators, critics, and collectors who supported their ascent in the art world. Inspired by Walker Evans, this vibrant community includes prominent figures like Garry Winogrand, Lee Friedlander, Diane Arbus, and William Eggleston, among others, along with influential gallery owner Lee D. Witkin and renowned MoMA curator John Szarkowski. Acknowledging the significance of their contributions, Mora offers a personal perspective on this captivating chapter in modern photography, presenting both a critique and a visual anthology of key works and artists.