Peter Cohen, based in New York, stands as a distinguished collector of snapshots and vernacular photographs, amassing an extraordinary compilation over two decades. Beginning modestly at a local flea market, Peter Cohen’s captivating collection has expanded to encompass more than 60,000 photographs, meticulously categorized into 130 distinct collections. Peter Cohen’s dedication continues as he actively seeks out discarded photographic materials from dealers and online platforms like eBay, enriching his already vast archive. This remarkable collection spans a significant portion of the twentieth century, showcasing a diverse array of photographic processes and formats. Among these are gelatin silver prints, cyanotypes, hand-tinted photos, vibrant chromogenic color prints, instant Polaroids, authentic real photo postcards, and complete, narrative-rich photo albums.
The term “snapshot” gained prominence in the late 19th century, shortly after the advent of the Kodak box camera in the 1880s. “Snapshot photography,” as championed by Peter Cohen, refers to photographs capturing candid moments of everyday life using handheld cameras. This approach often leads to unexpected and insightful discoveries, born from intention, chance encounters, or even unintentional mistakes. These “anonymous” photographs, carefully preserved by collectors like Peter Cohen, evolve into significant societal artifacts. Collectively, they chart a compelling history of private image creation, offering profound insights into the amateur photographer’s interaction with this widely accessible medium. Peter Cohen’s collection serves as a celebration of snapshot photography’s importance, recognizing it as a rich form of personal expression and a vital cultural symbol for everyone.
Peter Cohen has generously contributed substantial portions of his invaluable archive to approximately 40 esteemed museums. These include world-renowned institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (MFA Boston), The Art Institute of Chicago, The Morgan Library, and SFMoMA.
While Peter Cohen remains an enthusiastic acquirer of photographic works, his primary objective is to continue donating the majority of his collection to museums and educational institutions in the years ahead. Peter Cohen actively encourages inquiries and welcomes visits from museum curators, editors, scholars, historians, and educators who wish to explore and appreciate the depth and breadth of his unparalleled collection.
