Abstract
The first movement in the history of photography that marked a shift in artistic thinking was when photography transformed from a scientific tool into an art form. It prompted a reevaluation of what photography and art truly meant, leading to an exploration of the relationship between aesthetic principles in painting and photographic techniques. This gave rise to Pictorialism, a photographic movement that advocated for mimicking the imagery of paintings in both form and content. Pictorialism became the first recognized genre in the history of photography, reflecting the society's pursuit of innovative expressions in photographic form.In 1892, a group of amateur photographers, advocating for the idea that “photography is a form of art,” broke away from the mainstream scientific-oriented associations and formed The Linked Ring. The Brotherhood was seen as a means to defend the belief that photography is both an art and a science. They took practical actions such as organizing regular photography salon exhibitions, publishing pictorial magazines, and establishing international branches. Through these efforts, pictorial photography became an international trend between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, influencing Europe and other regions. It also brought photography onto the stage of art exhibitions and art criticism. The Brotherhood represented a shift in artistic thinking among photography groups at that time, akin to the knights defending artistic photography. Their influence shaped the aesthetic concepts of photography for future generations and laid the groundwork for new possibilities in interpreting modernist photography. These movements have sparked the author's motivation to further study the subject.
This thesis aims to organize the historical context of pictorial photography and clarify the background and development of The Brotherhood of the Linked Ring. By delving into the aesthetic perspectives of the main participants in the Brotherhood, it seeks to explore the development of photographic aesthetics within the contemporary context. It examines the transition from scientific invention to the aesthetics of photography and how the promotion of photographic aesthetics was achieved through numerous salon exhibitions and the publication of pictorial magazines by the members of The Linked Ring. Lastly, it investigates the influence of the Brotherhood on subsequent generations and its position in the history of photography. Ultimately, through this research, the intention is to bring attention to this revolutionary group of photographers who played a significant role in the history of photography and to complement the understanding of the impact of photographic aesthetics in the earlier stages of the overall historical context of photography.
| Date of Award | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Original language | Chinese (Traditional) |
| Supervisor | Ya-Lun Wang (Supervisor) |