Surviving the Lens: Photographic Studies of South and East African People 1870-1920 Book

Historians, public galleries and collectors have in recent years started re-viewing photographs of African people taken during the colonial period for their aesthetic merits as well as their historical significance. The 50 photographic portraits presented in this title, most of them unpublished, were taken in East and South Africa between 1870 and 1920, the period of high European imperialism in the region. Mainly the work of Europeans living in Africa, the images chosen for inclusion in the title, reveal an enigmatic intensity and develop an unfolding poignancy with each viewing, offering a view of the humanity of the subjects that transcends the boundaries of history, class and culture. Where possible the photographs are reproduced the same size as the originals and each is accompanied by a caption containing detailed information about the image. An introductory essay illustrated with full page details from the selected images discusses the changing approaches to historical photographs and the various complex factors that influenced their making.