Dewi Lewis Publishing has announced the release of a facsimile edition of "Love On The Left Bank" by renowned Dutch photographer Ed van der Elsken. This republication brings back to life one of the most celebrated photography books of the 20th century, originally published in 1956.
The book captures the vibrant atmosphere of Paris's Left Bank during a pivotal period when the area served as the epicenter of creative energy and artistic innovation. During this time, the Left Bank was home to the artists, writers, and aesthetes who would shape the cultural landscape for an entire generation. Van der Elsken's work documented this bohemian world with unprecedented intimacy and authenticity.
What set "Love On The Left Bank" apart was its groundbreaking photographic approach. Van der Elsken employed an unconventional, gritty, snapshot-like technique that was widely acclaimed for pushing the boundaries of documentary photography. His raw, candid style offered viewers an unfiltered glimpse into the lives of the creative community that inhabited the streets and cafés of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Born in Amsterdam in 1925, Ed van der Elsken established himself as one of the great photographers of the 20th century. Throughout his prolific career, he published more than 20 books, cementing his reputation as a master of street photography and social documentation. In recent years, his work has gained renewed recognition and has been exhibited extensively in galleries and museums around the world. Van der Elsken passed away in 1990, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of visual storytelling.
One of the book's most compelling subjects is Vali Myers, who appears in the photographs as "Ann." Born in Sydney, Australia, in 1930, Myers was a dancer and artist who arrived in Paris in 1949 at the age of 19. During the post-war years, she lived among the bohemian community in the streets and cafés of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where she continued to pursue her passions for dance and drawing. Her artistic contributions are featured throughout the book, adding another layer of authenticity to van der Elsken's photographic narrative. Myers later became an internationally recognized artist, traveling extensively throughout her life until her death in 2003.
The new facsimile edition maintains the integrity of the original publication while offering contemporary readers access to this seminal work. The hardback book spans 112 pages and features 200 duotone photographs that capture the essence of 1950s Parisian bohemian life. The publication measures 275mm x 195mm and is available under ISBN 978-1-899235-22-3 for £30.00. Photography enthusiasts and collectors can find more information about this release on the publisher's website at www.dewilewis.com.
