Lisette Model: Retrospective

Featuring over 200 exquisite reproductions of Model’s most iconic works, this stunning volume celebrates a mid-twentieth century visionary whose photography captured the raw, dynamic spirit of urban life and its striking social contrasts.

Lisette Model’s journey from her Viennese roots to her groundbreaking career in New York unfolds in this comprehensive collection of works spanning 1933 to 1959. Featuring her famous Coney Island Bather and Cafe Metropole photographs, as well as never-before-seen pieces, the book immerses readers in her distinctive style—equal parts confrontational and compassionate. Model’s self-taught approach to photography flourished during her years in France.

Her early portraits of idle elites in Nice delivered biting social critiques, marking her as a bold new voice in visual storytelling. After emigrating to New York, her work graced the pages of Harper’s Bazaar and other leading magazines, showcasing the vivid contrasts of urban life, from the impoverished Lower East Side to high-society gatherings.

Complemented by melancholic studies from her later travels to the U.S. West Coast and Venezuela, this collection underscores Model’s enduring relevance. Featuring insightful commentary from Walter Moser, this book is a must- have for photography enthusiasts and anyone intrigued by the intersection of art, history, and social critique.

About the Author

WALTER MOSER is head of the department of photography at the Albertina in Vienna.