Currently underappreciated, William B. Post (1857–1921) was a pioneer fine art photographer at the turn of the twentieth century. Admired by Alfred Stieglitz, he was among the first American photographers to compose his images and sensitively craft his finished prints. This catalogue presents approximately thirty of Post’s images, noteworthy for their rich and exquisite tone. 

Post’s deep affection for the landscape of rural Maine, where he summered and eventually lived, is evident in his soft-focus capturing of the essence of apple trees in blossom, fields at harvesttime, and most notably snow and water lilies. Like contemplative, Japanese-inspired poems, Post’s subtle platinum prints are quiet homages to his spiritual communion with nature. 

Minneapolis Institute of Arts curator Christian A. Peterson follows Post’s life and work and assesses his creative accomplishments, illuminating his important place in photographic history and the unique and sophisticated beauty of his photographs. 

Christian A. Peterson is curator at The Minneapolis Institute of Arts. 

Distributed for The Minneapolis Institute of Arts