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Jacob August Riis: 100 Documentary Photographic Reproductions

Keith Cox

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Jacob August Riis (1849-1914) was a Danish-American social reformer, journalist, and photographer who is known for his groundbreaking work documenting the slums of New York City in the late 19th century. Riis's photographs were instrumental in bringing attention to the plight of the poor and working class, and they helped to inspire a wave of social reforms.

Riis was born in Ribe, Denmark, in 1849. He immigrated to the United States in 1870 and settled in New York City, where he worked as a carpenter and a reporter. In 1888, he joined the staff of the New York Evening Sun, and he began to use photography to document the living conditions of the poor in the city's slums.

Jacob August Riis: 100+ Documentary Photographic Reproductions

by Daniel Ankele

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Riis's photographs were often shocking and disturbing. They showed overcrowded tenements, filthy streets, and desperate people living in poverty. But Riis's goal was not simply to expose the horrors of the slums; he wanted to use his photographs to raise awareness of the need for social change.

In 1890, Riis published his first book, "How the Other Half Lives." The book included over 100 of his photographs, and it was a searing indictment of the social conditions in New York City. "How the Other Half Lives" was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to make Riis one of the most famous photographers in the world.

Riis continued to work as a photographer and social reformer for the rest of his life. He published several more books, including "The Children of the Poor" (1892) and "The Battle with the Slum" (1898). He also lectured widely on the need for social reform, and he helped to found several organizations dedicated to helping the poor and working class.

Riis died in 1914, but his work continues to inspire social reformers and photographers to this day. His photographs are a powerful reminder of the importance of social justice, and they continue to challenge us to address the problems of poverty and inequality in our own time.

This book contains 100 of Riis's most powerful documentary photographs.

These images offer a unique glimpse into the forgotten corners of New York City in the late 19th century. They are a testament to the power of photography to document social injustice and to inspire change.

This book is a must-have for historians, photographers, and anyone interested in the power of imagery to shape society.

Free Download your copy today!

Jacob August Riis: 100 Documentary Photographic Reproductions is available in hardcover and paperback from all major retailers.

: 978-0-8223-5029-3 (hardcover)

: 978-0-8223-5030-9 (paperback)

Publisher: University of California Press

Publication Date: September 15, 2023

Pages: 304

Dimensions: 9 x 12 inches

Weight: 2.5 pounds

Price: $40.00 (hardcover),$24.95 (paperback)

Reviews:

"A powerful and moving collection of photographs that offer a unique glimpse into the forgotten corners of New York City in the late 19th century. Riis's photographs are a testament to the power of photography to document social injustice and to inspire change." - The New York Times

"A must-have for historians, photographers, and anyone interested in the power of imagery to shape society." - The Washington Post

"A powerful and important book that deserves to be widely read." - The Guardian

Jacob August Riis: 100+ Documentary Photographic Reproductions

by Daniel Ankele

4.1 out of 5