PORTRAITS IN LIFE AND DEATH - BY PETER HUJAR
PRODUCT INFO
PORTRAITS IN LIFE AND DEATH - BY PETER HUJAR
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Hardcover, pages
X cm
Language: English
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A profound meditation on life, death, and the human condition, Portraits in Life and Death is the only book published by Peter Hujar during his lifetime. Released in 1976, this collection masterfully pairs 29 portraits of notable creative individuals—including William Burroughs, Susan Sontag, and John Waters—with haunting images of semi-preserved Sicilian corpses from Palermo’s catacombs.
With an introduction by Susan Sontag, the book offers a unique progression from life to death, presenting a poignant juxtaposition of the vitality and fragility of existence. Hujar’s portraits reveal a deep psychological insight, capturing his subjects in moments of vulnerability, while the catacomb images evoke a stark, visceral confrontation with mortality.
This edition preserves the timeless beauty of Hujar’s vision, showcasing his ability to portray the inner spirit of his subjects with elegance and raw emotional intensity. A cult classic, the book continues to resonate deeply, inspiring reflection on the journey we all share.
“I am moved by the purity of [Hujar’s] intentions.... These memento mori can exorcise morbidity as effectively as they evoke its sweet poetry and its panic.” —Susan Sontag
A masterpiece of photographic artistry, Portraits in Life and Death lingers in the mind long after its pages are closed, cementing Peter Hujar’s legacy as a true visionary of the human experience.
