Paris Changing: Revisiting Eugene Atget's Paris [Hardcover]

Christopher Rauschenberg (Author), Rosamond Bernier (Contributor), Alison Nordstrom (Contributor), Clark Worswick (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1568986807 | ISBN-13: 978-1568986807 | Publication Date: October 4, 2007 | Edition: 1

Between 1888 and 1927 Eugne Atget meticulously photographed Paris and its environs, capturing in thousands of photographs the city's parks, streets, and buildings as well as its diverse inhabitants. His images preserved the vanishing architecture of the ancien rgime as Paris grew into a modern capital and established Atget as one of the twentieth century's greatest and most revered photographers.

Christopher Rauschenberg spent a year in the late '90s revisiting and rephotographing many of Atget's same locations. Paris Changing features seventy-four pairs of images beautifully reproduced in duotone. By meticulously replicating the emotional as well as aesthetic qualities of Atget's images, Rauschenberg vividly captures both the changes the city has undergone and its enduring beauty. His work is both an homage to his predecessor and an artistic study of Paris in its own right. Each site is indicated on a map of the city, inviting readers to follow in the steps of Atget and Rauschenberg themselves. Essays by Clark Worswick and Alison Nordstrom give insight into Atget's life and situate Rauschenberg's work in the context of other rephotography projects. The book concludes with an epilogue by Rosamond Bernier as well as a portfolioof other images of contemporary Paris by Rauschenberg. If a trip to the city of lights is not in your immediate future, this luscious portrait of Paris then and now is definitely the next best thing.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Paris Changing is an invitation to a nostalgic voyage, or, to a long Paris weekend, during which you can use the photographs as a guide and return to New York with fresh eyes. -- New York Times, October 28, 2007

In Paris Changing Christopher Rauschenberg retraces the footsteps of French documentarian Eugene Atget in 1898. The two men's photos are shown side-by-side, revealing the city's eternal elegance and its modern developments. -- Travel + Leisure, December 2007

"[Rauschenberg] photographs the older parts of the city that anyone who loves Paris will enjoy poring over in this attractive volume." (January 2008) --Art New England

Review

"The compendium of the photographer's oeuvre during the belle epoque is an enchanting catalog of the city's streets, parks, neighborhoods, shops...in rich duotones that you'll want to reach out and touch." (1/1/08)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press; 1 edition (October 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568986807
• ISBN-13: 978-1568986807
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #468,549 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Black & White

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reminds me how much I love Paris, December 3, 2007

By 

Henri IV (Paris, France) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Paris Changing: Revisiting Eugene Atget's Paris (Hardcover)

Last summer I saw the Atget exhibit at the Bibliotheque Nationale, which was a marvelous passage through a lost time. This book matches some of those absorbing old photos with photos of the same location taken today. I think it's a fascinating book and I can lose myself in the nuances while comparing the photos. This pasttime may not be to everyone's taste, but I highly recommend the book to thoughtful people who enjoy looking at things.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful B&W photos, February 10, 2011

By 

Wild Thornberry - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paris Changing: Revisiting Eugene Atget's Paris (Hardcover)

This is one of my most cherished books. The photos are stunning and the comparison from old to new is fascinating.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Little Has Changed, November 23, 2010

By 

Curshellas (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Paris Changing: Revisiting Eugene Atget's Paris (Hardcover)

If you have been to Paris or plan on going, this book is great. It is amazing how little the buildings have changed between the first photo and the current one. I myself would like to go to Paris again, and take photos at the same locations to add to the book and make it even more interesting when friends or guests pull it off the coffee table and look through it.