STRAND (Paul) - ROY (Claude). - Lot 278

STRAND (Paul) - ROY (Claude). France in Profile. New York, Aperture Foundation, 2001. Large quarto, publisher’s hardcover with illustrated dust jacket. A reprint of the famous book first published in 1952, the result of a collaboration between Paul Strand (1890–1976), one of the founding figures of modern photography, and Claude Roy (1915–1997). In the aftermath of World War II, Strand traveled throughout France for several months and created a sweeping portrait of the country through its villages, landscapes, artisans, building facades, markets, and inhabitants. Rejecting any picturesque anecdotes, he constructs a profoundly humanistic vision in which each photograph reveals the enduring nature of the places and the quiet dignity of the people. Claude Roy’s texts, conceived as a true literary counterpoint rather than mere captions, establish an ongoing dialogue with the images. This exceptional union of photography and literature makes *La France de profil* one of the great photobooks of the 20th century and one of Paul Strand’s major works. Richly illustrated with remarkable black-and-white heliogravures, this volume remains an indispensable reference in the history of humanist photography. A very good copy despite the presence of two old bookstore labels on the dust jacket and very slight signs of wear. Interior is fresh.