Eugène Atget (French, 1857-1927), The Fountain of the Médicis, Luxembourg Gardens, Paris, 1923-25

Eugène Atget (French, 1857-1927)
The Fountain of the Médicis, Luxembourg Gardens, Paris, 1923-25
Albumen print
Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. by Exchange 2002.5.3

Eugène Atget is considered one of the finest photographers in history. Indeed, the body of work that Atget created is so vast and significant that it is possible to say that he has influenced virtually every photographer since the early 20th century. His reputation relies on the remarkable photographic record he created of Paris at the turn of the century.

Atget began to photograph at the age of 40, and became rapidly absorbed in a documentary project which, over the last 30 years of his life, resulted in more than 10,000 glass-plate negatives of turn-of-the-century Paris and its rural environs. His fame as a photographic artist has accrued entirely in retrospect; during his life he sold his photographs as reference works for artists in other media. Due to the efforts of Berenice Abbott and, more recently, the Museum of Modern Art, Atget's images are now considered early masterpieces of photographic realism.
The Chrysler collection includes five vintage Atget photographs printed by Atget and nine printed by Berenice Abbott from the original negatives. All 14 were shown in a one-gallery exhibition in 2002.


  • photography >

  • highlights from the collection >

©2008 Chrysler Museum of Art Copyright Info

245 West Olney Road, Norfolk, Virginia 23510 757.664.6200