An engaging and authoritative commentary on the history of portrait photography by one of the world's leading photography critics, this book provides a new perspective on the history of the medium through examining the personalities both behind and in front of the camera, as well as the fascinating relationship between photographer and subject as revealed through the genre. Fully illustrated with over 300 Black and White and colour photographs, it covers a broad range of styles and movements from early portraitists such as Edward Sheriff Curtis to the well-known work of seminal figures including Walker Evans, Cecil Beaton and August Sander, as well as contemporary portraiture by Thomas Ruff, Philip Lorca diCorcia and Cindy Sherman. This book is an essential title for critics, students of photography, photography enthusiasts, or anyone with a general interest in portraiture.

Max Kozloff is one of the leading photography critics working today, and the recipient of numerous prizes and fellowships. Formerly the editor of Art Forum, he is a prolific writer whose contribution includes the first monograph on Jasper Johns, a book of collected essays entitled, Photography and Fascination (1978), two further books of essays on the medium, a study of Duane Michals and a history of New York street photography that accompanied a travelling museum show, which he curated in 2002. Kozloff has also taught on numerous photography courses and is a noted photographer himself, having exhibited in the United States, Mexico and India. His passion for portraiture stems from his own visual practice and informs his belief that this genre is photography's central project.