Since the 19th century, California has been described as the “land of milk and honey,” offering the promise of opportunity and prosperity that drove westward expansion and land development. From the gold rush to the age of technology, photographers have used the camera to bear witness to both the rapid urban construction of the western landscape and the destructive environmental forces that threaten its livability. This lecture will chart the history of capturing Northern California in photographs from the 19th century to the present.

Livestream link coming soon.

About the curator

Sally Martin Katz is the photography curator at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Her career includes curatorial positions at SFMOMA, the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Musée du Louvre in Paris. She has curated exhibitions at the Fundación MAPFRE in Madrid and Barcelona, as well as at the Southampton Arts Center in New York. Sally holds a PhD in art history (history of photography) from Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, where she also earned an MFA in photography, and a BA in art history and French literature from Brown University.

About the “A Closer Look” series

This program is part of our “A Closer Look” series, a new curatorial lecture series exploring both the development of the Museums’ distinct collections and their art historical significance. Beginning at the Legion of Honor and expanding to the de Young soon, the series features in-depth presentations that highlight collection gems while demystifying creative practices that span thousands of years. 

Ticket info

Free program. First come, first served. Seating is limited and unassigned. Doors open 30 minutes before the start of the program.

Contact info

Public Programs
publicprograms@famsf.org
415.750.7694