Edward Weston: 60 years on, The Flame of Recognition reissued by Aperture

An emblematic figure of modern photography, Edward Weston (1886-1958) marked his art with formal rigor and a refined aesthetic. To mark the 60th anniversary of his first publication, Aperture Editions is reissuing The Flame of Recognition, a posthumous tribute that has become a classic of photographic literature.

An undisputed master of photography

Sculptural portraits, nudes, still lifes and uncluttered landscapes offer a precious opportunity to rediscover one of the pioneers of modern photography and a master of black and white.

Beyond the beauty of his compositions, Edward Weston contributed to the recognition of photography as a true art form, surpassing its documentary vocation.

The first photography book to be published by Aperture, The Flame of Recognition reappears 60 years after its release. A veritable reference monograph, this seminal book on twentieth-century photography brings together Edward Weston’s personal writings, including his diaries of his daily life and travels published in the late 60s, and several extracts from his correspondence.

A more accessible edition, faithful to the spirit of the origins

Released in 1965, The Flame of Recognition celebrates a double anniversary this year: the 60th anniversary of this emblematic book coincides with Aperture’s debut in photographic book publishing.

This second reissue follows on from the 2015 edition to mark its fiftieth anniversary. In 2025, a soft cover replaces the linen cover of previous editions, for a book that is more accessible while preserving the elegance of the original title.

Genesis of an anthology project

Initially published in a thematic issue of Aperture devoted to Edward Weston in 1958, the year of his death, the texts and images aroused such enthusiasm that they gave rise, a few months later, to a more lasting project: The Flame of Recognition. The first title in a collection that now includes more than a thousand books by Aperture, this book has been an enduring success ever since.

It is also the friendly presence of Nancy Newhall, photography historian, co-founder of Aperture and photo curator at MoMA from 1942 to 1946, to whom Weston owed his retrospective event, that will enable the book to take on its definitive form. Brett and Cole Weston, the photographer’s sons, also took part in the book’s conception. They were joined by Dody Weston Thompson, columnist and photographer, and Ansel Adams (with whom Edward Weston co-founded the f/64 group), both co-founders of Aperture, in expressing their admiration for Edward Weston.

Now a classic, the book is helping to raise the profile of an influential photographer whose aesthetic refinement rivals his technical mastery. The Flame of Recognition will be available from June 2025.

The Flame of Recognition, Edward Weston
Publisher: Aperture
35 €, 112 pages, 64 images, paperback, 21.1 x 24.9 cm
Buy the book : Aperture / Fnac