Through July 20
The Met
The exhibition “The New Art: American Photography, 1839–1910” offers a compelling and comprehensive exploration of American photography’s transformative journey from its inception to the dawn of the 20th century. Drawing primarily from The Met’s esteemed William L. Schaeffer Collection, this exhibition presents widely celebrated photographers such as Josiah Johnson Hawes, John Moran, Carleton Watkins, and Alice Austen. Their masterpieces are complemented by remarkable works from lesser-known or anonymous artists across the United States, illustrating the medium’s broad cultural resonance from small towns to bustling cities coast to coast.
This rich assemblage encompasses diverse photographic techniques and formats—ranging from the earliest daguerreotypes and cartes de visite to stereographs and cyanotypes. By showcasing these varied forms, the exhibition paints a vivid picture of photography’s pivotal role not only as a commercial and artistic pursuit but also as a profound cultural and psychological force that shaped a new national identity. Notably, the exhibition captures the era’s zeitgeist, echoing Ralph Waldo Emerson’s prescient remark from 1835 that “Our Age is Ocular,” highlighting the growing importance of visual experience in American society even before the medium’s formal announcement in Paris and London.
The show is supported generously by the Diane W. and James E. Burke Fund and the Diane Carol Brandt Fund, with additional assistance from the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation. Visitors are invited to journey through American history and identity through the lens of this groundbreaking medium, witnessing both the familiar and undiscovered narratives etched in photographs that span seventy years of cultural development.
Experience this immersive exploration of early American photography and discover how this “new art” not only documented but also influenced societal perceptions and cultural aspirations during a critical period of national growth. For more information, tickets, and opening hours, please visit the official Met exhibition page: https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/the-new-art-american-photography-1839-1910.
