New Orleans 1867

ISBN: 1858942101

Author: Van Zante, Gary A.

Condition: New

This book publishes for the first time one of the supreme accomplishments of nineteenth century urban photography, a series of large-plate views of Reconstruction New Orleans entitled La Nouvelle Orléans et ses environs, taken in 1867 by the German-born photographer Theodore Lilienthal (1829-1894). Comprising the first official photographic survey of any American city, the images feature every aspect of the city, from Garden District mansions, churches and synagogues to mills, refineries and breweries. The photographs were exhibited at the Paris World Exposition of 1867 before being presented to Napoléon III, emperor of France (1852-70). The author examines Lilienthal's photographic method and contextualizes his work in the history of New Orleans and Civil War photography. Short essays on each of the 126 photographs investigate the subject matter of the images in depth, often illuminating the architectural, urban, social, economic, or political history of the Civil War-era city. Longer essays explore panoramic and stereographic photography, and extensive biographical and bibliographical information is also provided. This detailed and evocative pictorial and historical survey of Civil War-era New Orleans will appeal to anyone interested in American history, the history of photography or the development of the modern city.

• This book publishes for the first time one of the supreme accomplishments of nineteenth century urban photography, a series of large-plate views of Reconstruction New Orleans entitled La Nouvelle Orl