Photography

Telfair Museums did not begin collecting photography until 1996; the institution has made remarkable strides in this area over the past two decades. The Museum currently has a collection of over 800 photographs, mostly comprised of works dating from the mid-20th century through the present. The collection features many high-quality works by nationally-known, top-tier artists. One of the greatest strengths in this area is the photography of Helen Levitt, known for her street photography that earned her a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in 1943. Many of the other photographers in the permanent collection had close ties to Levitt and found their way to Telfair Museums through her influence. Another area of strength is the collection of 347 photographs by acclaimed American photographer Bruce Davidson. The collection spans Davidson’s career from 1956 to 2008.