Peter Hujar's Contact Sheets Reveal Intimate Portrait of New York at Morgan Library

The exhibition "Hujar: Contact" at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York explores the life and artistic journey of photographer Peter Hujar (1934–1987). Showcasing over 110 contact sheets and 20 enlargements from a collection exceeding 5,700 sheets, the exhibit follows Hujar's path from his beginnings as a studio assistant (1955–67) to his freelance endeavors in fashion, music, and advertising during the late 1960s, culminating in his influential work in the East Village from 1974 to 1987. The contact sheets, many annotated with editing notes, reveal Hujar's choices in cropping and printing, offering a personal glimpse into his dynamic portrait style and the distinct characters of his subjects. The exhibition also reflects the evolving social fabric of New York from the 1950s to the 1980s, weaving a rich narrative of a lifetime, community, and era. More details can be found at themorgan.org.