Foreword:

This book and the exhibition it accompanies provide the occasion for the most comprehensive presentation in more than twenty years of Harry Callahan's photographs of his wife, Eleanor. Since these photographs were last shown in 1984, the medium of photography and the scholarship of its history have advanced tremendously. Harry Callahan is now widely recognized as one of the twentieth century giants of American photography. Harry and Eleanor, who were married for a remarkable sixty-three years, retired to Atlanta in 1983 to join their daughter, Barbara Holinger, and her family. In the past two decades, the Atlanta art community and the High Museum have reaped the benefits of their presence.

The High hosted exhibitions of Harry's photographs in 1997 and 1999. It is with great pleasure and pride that we now present Harry Callahan: Eleanor, an exhibition that reunites Harry with Eleanor and reveals the abundant warmth, respect, and creativity that marked their union. Harry Callahan: Eleanor was organized by Julian Cox, the High's Curator of Photography, who has ably, and with considerable sensitivity, completed the project initiated by his predecessor, Thomas Southall. Throughout the planning process for both the exhibition and the publication, Eleanor Callahan and Barbara Hollinger have supported and encouraged our efforts with large doses of patience and goodwill. To them we are very grateful. We are also particularly indebted to Nicholas Pritzker for lending the majority of the works in the exhibition. Without this magnanimous gesture of trust and generosity we would not have been able to achieve our goals for this project. We also sincerely thank the institutional lenders, the National Gallery of Art and the J. Paul Getty Museum, and the Callahan Estate, who kindly agreed to part with their prized photographs for the duration of the exhibition. Without their participation the exhibition would not have achieved its objectives so completely. Additionally, we would like to thank the Rhode Island School of Design for their participation in the tour. Substantial financial support was provided by one of our key Board members, Robert Yellowlees. Bob's generosity made this handsome publication possible and helped us realize a dream that I know will bring great joy to Eleanor and that I am sure would have made Harry proud.

Michael E. Shapiro
Nancy and Holcombe T. Green, Jr. Director
High Museum of Art