Krause, George. George Krause-1. Introduction by Mark Power.

Toll & Armstrong, 1972. 1st edition. [Born in 1937 in Philadelphia, where he studied at the Philadelphia College of Art, George Krause retired from the University of Houston where he established the photography department. His books and work have been collected widely.] Near fine in hardcover with some light spotting on preliminary title page, SIGNED by Krause, with VG+ protected dust jacket.  (Reflections in image of cover.) Summary:

George Krause – 1 (published in 1972 by Toll & Armstrong Publishers) is a foundational 75-page retrospective monograph marking the first published book dedicated entirely to the work of acclaimed American fine art photographer George Krause. Anchored by a critical and biographical introduction by Krause's close friend, fellow photographer, and writer Mark Power, the square octavo volume functions as a pivotal mid-career record that tracks the artist's evolution from traditional social documentary work to highly stylized, metaphoric imagery.

Core Themes and Content

• A Friend's Critical Insight: Mark Power’s introductory text provides essential biographical context, framing Krause's artistic trajectory through a personal lens. Power offers firsthand insights into Krause's philosophies, examining how his technical precision and creative choices allow him to extract universal, often unsettling psychological truths from ordinary human experiences.

• From Social Documentary to Ambiguity: The book highlights Krause's diverse range of subject matter, featuring his early documentary work capturing segregated Black neighborhoods in South Carolina while serving in the U.S. Army (1957–1959). The volume traces his historic transition away from straight photojournalism toward an aesthetic of visual ambiguity, capturing the foundational imagery that defined his career.

• Haunting Themes and High-Contrast Plates: The monograph features 60 rich, full-page duotone reproductions showcasing Krause’s mastery of silver gelatin printing and high-contrast light. The compiled works prominently highlight his fascination with themes of mortality, religion, and the human form, laying the groundwork for his celebrated future series on cemetery monuments, religious statuary, and unconventional, graphic nudes.

• Historical Influences: The curated selections establish Krause's place within the mid-20th-century photographic continuum, contextualizing how his eye was influenced by masters of candid and street photography, including Henri Cartier-Bresson, André Kertész, and Robert Frank, while maintaining a uniquely melancholic, surrealist perspective.

By capturing a comprehensive overview of his early and formative series, this milestone 1972 publication solidified George Krause’s reputation within the fine art community as a master of the photographic print and an indispensable voice in American imagery.

George Krause (born 1937) is a distinguished American photographer and educator celebrated for his haunting, surreal, and deeply spiritual imagery that explores themes of mortality, faith, and the mysteries of the human condition. Born in Philadelphia, Krause studied at the Philadelphia College of Art before embarking on a career that would earn him significant critical acclaim, including becoming the first photographer to receive both a Prix de Rome (1976) and a Fulbright Fellowship, alongside two Guggenheim Fellowships. Over his decades-long career, which included establishing the photography program at the University of Houston where he taught for over twenty years, Krause rejected traditional, straightforward documentary styles in favor of a highly stylized, darkroom-refined approach. His iconic series—such as Qui Tollis, which captures the haunting imagery of cemetery statuary, and Saints and Martyrs, which documents intense religious expressions—utilize dramatic high-contrast lighting and rich textures to elevate mundane or morbid subjects into timeless, psychological archetypes. Through his masterfully crafted silver gelatin prints and boundary-pushing artists' books, Krause has secured a legacy as a foundational figure in American fine art photography, renowned for his ability to uncover a sense of beautiful disquiet hidden just beneath the surface of reality.