Maynard L. Parker was the photographer of the „lifestyle“ magazines of the 1940s through the 1960s and thus shaped the look of American domestic design and culture. In this capacity he photographed the homes of celebrities but also staged contemporary architecture as a desirable backdrop for modern life.
In 2012 Yale University Press published „Maynard L. Parker: Modern Photography and the American Dream“, edited by Jennifer Watts, the definitive monograph on Parker. It contains a wealth of Parker’s photographs that illustrate the two souls dwelling in the photographer’s breast: one is the professional setter of domestic sceneries ranging from the American midcentury housewife to luminaries like Clarke Gable, Bing Crosby and Judy Garland. The other is the empathic architectural photographer who e.g. documented the work of Frank Lloyd Wright in timeless shots.
Beyond the visual input the book of course also contains a range of essays that function as introductions to each of the seven chapters: they are each penned by a different author and offer deeper insights into the cultural and political climate in which Parker operated: Sam Watters for example discusses how Parker with his photographs of stars and their homes contributed to the postwar ascent of Hollywood and its celebrity culture. Elaine Tyler May on the other hand connects Parker and the Cold War suburban culture characterized by consumption and the domestic ideals of the American Dream.
„Maynard L. Parker: Modern Photography and the American Dream“ is an entertaining yet profound read that wittily combines contemporary and photographic history and offers a fascinating perspective on Cold War American domestic culture. Warmly recommended!
