Yasuzo Nojima

One of the most important figures in the history of modern Japanese photography. Yasuzo Nojima's works range from kaiga shugi shashin (pictorial photography) to shink shashin (new/straight photography) of the early twentieth century. His earliest works are characterized by a density and heaviness echoing that of pictorialism, based in his subtle sensitivity and the pigment printing process, the mainstream printing method of that time. In the 1930s, his style took a drastic turn under the influence of new trends in German photography, shifting toward cropped gelatin silver prints in pursuit of a form of expression that is unique to the medium. Nojima was also known as an enthusiastic art lover, opening a gallery in Tokyo at his own expense, holding exhibitions of works by up-and-coming artists. This catalogue is composed of works from the Nojima Collection at Museum of Modern Art of Kyoto.