PG 320 - History Of Photography In France

This course is designed to provide an overview of the history of photography during the past two centuries in France. With its invention in 1839 by Niépce, the development of the daguerreotype, and the production of portraits, landscapes and snapshots, photography’s evolution throughout the 19th century demonstrates how this new discipline responded to specific as well as unidentified needs, and eventually distinguished itself from paintings and other means of representation. Examining 20th century avant‐garde, surrealist and modern photography in documentaries, political images, the illustrated press, photographic agencies and journals will enhance students’ understanding of the present. The course will include site visits to the annual Rencontres d’Arles international photography festival.