Zola - Photographer

The French art director and book designer Massin has selected over 200 photographs by Emile Zola, known for his writing which had received world recognition by 1888 when his obsession with photography started. In addition to taking pictures of the world at large - the World's Fair of 1900, the then new and controversial Eiffel Tower, the streets, shops and people of Paris, as well as Medan, where Zola had a country house - Zola soon became fascinated by the art of portraiture - the book includes pictures of his friends, of his wife and his mistress and of his children. Paris at the turn of the century, Renoir-like images of the French countryside and pictures of Zola's self-exile in England are also included. Francois Emile-Zola, Emile's grandson, has provided extensive letters as well as Zola's diary entries, giving an intimate view and flavour of the period.