The Power of Photography: 19th-20th Century Original Master Prints

THE POWER OF PHOTOGRAPHY exhibition features a selection of 120 iconic images by 120 different photographers, which celebrate the photograph’s unique capacity for sensibility. The exhibition was curated by pioneering collector and gallerist Peter Fetterman who has been championing the photographic arts for over 40 years. Fetterman runs one of the leading fine art photography galleries in the world with a special emphasis on humanist photography.

During the long months of lockdown, he exhibited one photograph per day, online, accompanied by inspirational text, quotes and poetry. This digital collection of now over 1200 images struck a chord with followers from around the world. A deluxe book featuring 120 images from the online series has been printed in Italy and published by ACC Art Books. It was a best seller on Amazon upon its release.

This exhibition presents a carefully curated selection of 120 outstanding original prints from the series, along with quotes from the photographers, and with Peter’s insightful words. These works offer an inspiring overview of the medium while paying homage to masters of the art. From the bizarre Boschian fantasies of Melvin Sokolsky to the haunting humanity of Ansel Adams’s family portraits; to the joyful everyday scenes of Evelyn Hofer; from rare interior shots by famed nude photographer Ruth Bernhard to Bruce Davidson’s wistful depiction of young men playing ballgames on a street; to Steve McCurry’s Afghan Girl, one of the most recognizable photographs ever taken. Each image is a time capsule, offering us a glimpse into days gone past. this exhibition gathers some of the most unique and heartening photographs from the 20th century. Each image is a time capsule, offering us a glimpse into days gone past. Yet, each photograph also speaks of tranquillity, peace, and hope for the future.

Born in London, Peter Fetterman, initially a filmmaker and collector, has helmed the Peter Fetterman Gallery in Santa Monica, CA, for over 35 years. He is the author of  The Power of Photography which was released May 2022, published by ACC Art Books. It reached the top of the photography book besteseller list on Amazon. He is also the author of Woman A Celebration (2003) published by Chronicle Books, and Cornell Capa (2002).

The exhibition is sponsored in part by Nellie and Robert Gipson, and NYCM Insurance.

The exhibition is organized by Photographic Traveling Exhibitions. Los Angeles, CA.

Photographers included in this exhibit:
Berenice Abbott
Ansel Adams
Robert Adams
Kristoffer Albrecht
Eve Arnold
George Ayres
David Bailey
Bruno Barbey
Lillian Bassman
Ruth Bernhard
Samuel Bourne
Bill Brandt
Manuel Alvarez Bravo
Dan Budnik
Wynn Bullock
Rene Burri
Cornell Capa
Paul Caponigro
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Raymond Cauchetier
William Clift
Jeffrey Conley
Ted Croner
Imogen Cunningham
Edward Curtis
Georges Dambier
Bruce Davidson
Martin Elkort
Elliott Erwitt
Gianni Berengo Gardin
Mario Giacomelli
Ralph Gibson
René Groebli
John Gutmann
Evelyn Hofer
Martha Holmes
Judy Glickman Lauder
Charles Harbutt
Bert Hardy
William Heick
Chester Higgins Jr.
Thurston Hopkins
Earlie Hudnall
Graciela Iturbide
Colin Jones
Yousuf Karsh
Andre Kertész
William Klein
Sergio Larrain
Lisa Law
Neil Leifer
Fred Lyon
Kurt Markus
Steve McCurry
Milton Miller
Sarah Moon
Carl Mydans
Mario Cravo Neto
Arnold Newman
Len Prince
Nancy Rexroth
Marc Riboud
Willy Ronis
Sebastião Salgado
Pentti Sammallahti
Jürgen Schadeberg
Steve Schapiro
Barry Schneier
Melvin Sokolsky
Louis Stettner
Wolfgang Suschitzky
John Szarkowski
George A. Tice
Sabine Weiss
Brett Weston
Minor White
Max Yavno
Roman Vishniac
Weegee

Images:

Steve McCurry 1950. The Afghan Girl, Sharbut Gula, Pakistan, 1984