The Swimming Pool in Photography

The Swimming Pool in Photography offers a photographic leap into cooling waters, diving into the cultural history of artificial ocean.

As long as five thousand years ago, the allure of the sea inspired humans to recreate its essence in miniature, artistic forms as public baths where ancient rituals would take place. Since then, it has become quite normal to immerse ourselves in cooling waters, in the privacy of our homes and without religious incentives. Swimming pools have rapidly become status symbols and the source for many diverse experiences: leisure-time athletics, relaxation, or the simple pleasure of just being in water.

It is no wonder then that filmmakers and photographers constantly return to the swimming pool as a subject and setting. Reflections of water and light are captured in countless, unique ways in the more than two hundred compelling images that comprise this catalogue. Also included, of course, are the images of those who animate it.

With works by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gigi Cifali, Stuart Franklin, Harry Gruyaert, Emma Hartvig, Jacques Henri Lartigue, Joel Meyerowitz, Martin Parr, Paolo Pellegrin, Mack Sennett, Alec Soth, Larry Sultan, Alex Webb and others.