Introduction

Twiggy (Leslie Hornby) in Toronto

A snapshot of the Toronto Star Photograph Archive, Exposed presents some of the memorable images that graced the pages of Canada’s largest daily newspaper. Powerful and provocative, these photographs were the lens through which Toronto Star readers witnessed the defining moments of the 20th century.

Exposed features an eclectic selection of images – portraits of notable cultural figures, international landmarks and landscapes, and iconic photographs that have become etched in our collective memory. This includes award-winning images by Toronto Star photographers and images by internationally renowned photographers like Yousuf Karsh, Phillipe Halsman, Ansel Adams, and Cecil Beaton.

The images may be familiar, but take a closer look. Many of these prints have markups that show how the photographs were altered, edited and prepared for publication.

This is just a tiny sample of the over one million photographs that make up the Toronto Star Photograph Archive. The entire archive was donated to the Toronto Public Library and is available to all in the Marilyn & Charles Baillie Special Collections Centre on the 5th floor of the Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge St.).

This virtual exhibit is presented in conjunction with Exposed on display at the TD Gallery, located on the main floor of the Toronto Reference Library, from April 18-June 14, 2015.

The 2015 TD Gallery season is generously sponsored by TD Bank Group.

Credit: Toronto Public Library, with contributions by Carol Elder

 

 

Introduction