Customer Reviews

New York Rises: Photographs by Eugene de Salignac

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
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This book is a beautiful set of photographs of New York during the early eays of the twentieth century. The photographs are dated from about 1908 to 1933. They show (mostly) a working environment. Here are people building bridges, paving streets. Because he worked for the department of bridges, it also seems like he was charged with recording accidents with pictures, possibly for legal reasons.

Along with the pictures are essays written by Michael Lorenzini, who is now a senior photographer at the NYC Department of Records/Municipal Archives, and by Kevin Moore, an accomplished writer in the history of photography.

I have seen some of these photographs before in various publications but never realized that these were only the tip of the iceberg, and that all of these pictures had been taken by the same individual.

Quite a number of the pictures show things that would be surprising to today's viewer. The Williamsburg Bridge for instance was equipped (in 1910) with a pair of electrically operated gates that worked to stop runaway horses on the bridge. Previously, the book says, there were an average of three runaways a month, usually fatal to the horses.

If I endorse this book as a monograph showcasing the photos of a man who worked for New York's Department of Bridges/Plant and Structures for 28 years, I'll be lucky to get a polite, uninterested smile.

But if I could share one of photographer Eugene de Salignac's extraordinary shots with you, you'd be hooked. Just look at the book's cover, showcasing painters nonchalantly draped on the rigging of the Brooklyn Bridge. (They are described in THE NEW YORKER as looking like "the notes of a jazz riff playing above the skyline.")

Thanks and kudos to Michael Lorenzini, who scoured New York's Municipal Archives and looked over about twenty thousand glass negatives to compile this retrospective of de Salignac's work. The photographer had the opportunity to record the astounding construction in New York that took place in the first third of the 20th century. That means much of this material has to do with transportation, and so we are treated to vintage shot after shot of subway tunnels, ferries, bridges, and trolley lines, as well as landmarks like the Municipal Building.

An extraordinary career is retrieved from anonymity here, and Kevin Moore's notes do a good job of putting the images into context. Highly recommended.

I agree that this book is relatively workmanlike and not in the same league as the really great books of photography. The photos are usually more intriguing than gripping in showing how buildings and bridges were actually built in those days. Prospective purchasers should leaf through it before buying, if possible.

The images in New York Rises are historically entertaining and informative. They are of high quality, but, few rise to the level of photographic art. Nevertheless, it is fascinating to travel back in time and experience what life was like during this dynamic period in New York's history.

NEW YORK RISES accompanies an exhibition in New York and offers the photos of the first official photographer of the City's Department of Bridges/Plant and Structures, from 1906 to 1934. These black and white shots capture a bygone era of New York architecture, culls a choice selection from over twenty thousand glass-plate negative and ten thousand prints, and brings to the limelight a previously little-known photographer. A 'must' for art libraries strong in design history, and for those featuring New York in particular.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I bought this book based on the cover photograph and review which I had seen in the New Yorker; I was looking for some iconic photographs of workers in New York along the lines of the Lewis Hine photos of the construction of the Empire State Building. While some of the other photos in the book are striking, most of them are more a historical record than a great photographic experience. Still worthwhile, but a little disappointing.

Beautiful work as expected from Aperture. Fascinating and technically magnificent shots of New York as it was being designed and built

I saw an article about this man's work in a magazine a few years ago and was impressed by the photos. It happened that when I went to visit my daughter who lives in N.Y., The N.Y. Museum of N.Y. City was exhibiting these photos. They had blown up the photo that appears on the dust jacket to something like 8' x 10'. Quite impressive. The history of the finding, or rediscovery, of Salignac's works reads a bit like a mystery novel. I am glad I did not purchase the book while there (due to luggage limits) because this new edition has more information. I feel I know N.Y. a bit better. Which is good as my daughter loves it.

A work of great interest from three viewpoints: you-are-there history of Nrew York 1905-1935, architecture and engineering of bridges and buildings and striking photographs by an expert cameraman.

A wonderful book showing the amazing work of an apparently self-taught photographer with a great eye for form and light on mundane subjects. His ability to portray people in some works speaks volumes on his insight into personal lives during the early 1900's.

This book gives a good sample of Eugene de Salignac's fine work.