Tate Modern explores pictorialist photography through rarely seen works worldwide

Tate Modern’s exhibition presents an international history of pictorialist photography, bringing together artists and images rarely seen by British audiences. Its global scope and attention to ordinary moments broaden the story of art photography and show how everyday scenes can carry striking beauty and emotional meaning.

Around half the works have not previously been shown in the UK, and the exhibition ranges from 1920s London flower prints to photographic work from Sydney, Hong Kong, Brazil, Singapore and Korea. The review highlights Yip Cheong Fun’s image of a father guiding children, Lionel Wendt’s intimate portrait of a young Sri Lankan man, and photographs by Han Youngsoo, Kate Smith and Limb Eung-sik. It praises the show’s care and visual power, while noting that it gives little attention to pictorialism’s politics or the risks of pursuing beauty.