A. Aubrey Bodine's 1953 photograph of Cornhill Street in Annapolis offers a glimpse into the past of one of Maryland's most historic cities. The image, titled 'Cornhill Street in Annapolis (1953),' captures the rear of #58 Cornhill Street in its unrestored state, alongside neighboring properties that were similarly dilapidated before restoration efforts. This photograph is part of Bodine's extensive body of work, which documents the people, places, and occupations of Maryland with an artistic eye that transcended typical newspaper photography.
Bodine, who worked for the Baltimore Sunday Sun from 1923 until his death in 1970, was renowned internationally as a pictorialist. His photographs were exhibited in hundreds of prestigious shows and museums, earning top honors against fierce competition. Bodine's approach to photography was deeply creative; he studied art principles at the Maryland Institute College of Art and viewed his camera and darkroom tools as akin to a painter's brush. He often manipulated negatives with dyes, intensifiers, and even scraping to achieve the desired mood and design, justifying these alterations by stating that he 'made' a picture rather than simply 'took' one.
The Cornhill Street photograph exemplifies Bodine's ability to find beauty in everyday scenes. The composition highlights the architectural details of the historic buildings, emphasizing their character and the need for preservation. For more information about Bodine and his work, the full biography 'A. Aubrey Bodine, A Legend In His Time' by Harold A. Williams is available on www.aaubreybodine.com. The website also features over 6,000 photographs from Bodine's 47-year career, which can be viewed and ordered as reprints or note cards.
The significance of this photograph extends beyond its artistic merit. It serves as a historical record of Annapolis's urban landscape before revitalization efforts transformed the area. By capturing the unrestored state of Cornhill Street, Bodine provides a baseline for understanding the architectural heritage that has been preserved. This image is a testament to Bodine's documentary style, which combined journalistic necessity with artistic expression, making his work valuable for both historians and art enthusiasts.
Bodine's legacy continues to be celebrated through the efforts of his family and the website dedicated to his work. The photograph of Cornhill Street is just one example of how his images capture the essence of mid-20th-century Maryland. For those interested in exploring more of his work, the website offers a comprehensive archive. For additional information, inquiries can be directed to info@AAubreyBodine.com or by calling 1-800-556-7226. However, the primary resource remains the online gallery at www.aaubreybodine.com, where the public can access and appreciate Bodine's contributions to photography and historical documentation.
