Words on Pictures: Romana Javitz and the New York Public Library’s Picture Collection.
Edited by Anthony T. Troncale with a forward by Jessica Cline.
In the pre-digital era, the age of mechanical reproduction, the New York Public Library’s Picture Collection provided the free circulation of prints, photographs, postcards and other clippings to its constituency of local and international artists, illustrators, advertisers, and businessmen. Since its initial beginnings in 1916 the Picture Collection has been a unique public service for New York City’s thriving educational, cultural and commercial enterprises, both as a muse and a critical resource. The story of the Picture Collection is also the story of Romana Javitz (1903-1980) who headed the Picture Collection from 1929 to 1968. Words on Pictures presents previously unpublished writings and interviews by Javitz, revealing her remarkable understanding of the social impact of print and film media, especially photography and motion pictures.
It is through Javitz’s words that we can witness history over the decades, as it happened. Ruth Reeves and Diego Rivera borrowing pictures for their respective commissions at Rockefeller Center; Roy Stryker, sending FSA photographs to the Collection as they are being generated directly in the field; Military planners commandeering its geography files during WWII. Ben Shahn, Joseph Cornell and Andy Warhol browsing its picture stock, looking for inspiration. By 1937 circulation reached up to almost a million pictures per year.
In a Google “images” world we can all relate to ready access of pictures and video of all kinds. But we could also use a bit of historical perspective in navigating our image-immersed lives. Words on Pictures serves up solid primary research metrics and analysis by a woman who made it happen. Taylor recently began a new position as Assistant Curator, Department of Photography at the George Eastman Museum. He will be based primarily in New York City. His role will include participating in collection development, curating exhibitions at the Eastman Museum in Rochester, and authoring or contributing to accompanying publications and other scholarly books.
Photo-Verso Publications
Publication Date: December 2020