The world of fine arts has changed significantly in the last few decades. Once considered only suitable for traditional mediums such as paintings and sculptures, art museums have expanded their collections to include photographs.

But when did it become common for photographs to be collected in major fine arts museums?

Art museums are increasingly realizing the importance of photography in art history and culture. As early as the 1970s, some museums began collecting photographs in earnest. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City acquired its first photography collection in 1977, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City acquired its first photography collection in 1980.

Today, it is not uncommon to find entire collections dedicated to photography at major art museums. Museums from around the world, such as the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France, have extensive collections of photography.

The acquisition of photographs by art museums reflects the increasing acceptance of photography as a fine art. Early photographs were seen as scientific or documentary records and were often not considered suitable for fine art museums. As photography evolved, more and more photographers began to experiment with the medium and explore its creative possibilities.

The appreciation for photography also grew as it began to be exhibited in galleries and museums. The landmark “New Topographics” exhibit at the George Eastman House Museum of Photography in Rochester, New York, showcased the beauty of everyday life, such as suburban landscapes and industrial sites, and was seen as a seminal moment for photography.

The increasing recognition of photography helped to establish it as a legitimate art form and one worthy of being included in major fine arts museums. The presence of photographs in many of the world’s leading museums demonstrates the power of photography and its importance in the history of art.

Conclusion

As the acceptance of photography as an art form grew, its inclusion within major fine arts museums became more common. While the early inclusion of photographs in museums was met with some resistance, its presence is now accepted in many of the world’s leading museums. Today, photography is celebrated for its unique power to capture the beauty of the world in a way that other mediums cannot.