International Women’s Day is a momentary spotlight, but the pursuit of equality in art continues throughout the year. A significant aspect of this struggle is addressing the historic omission of women from art narratives and institutions. In line with this, Julia Curl examines a book that revives the essential tale of Lisette Model, an Austrian-American photographer who, like many other leftist Jewish immigrants, faced scrutiny from the FBI during the era of the Red Scare. Discover more in the reading list below.
— Lakshmi Rivera Amin, Associate Editor
The Jazz Images the FBI Tried to Erase
Lisette Model, concerned for her safety, hid away her photographs of iconic musicians such as Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong. Now, a recently published book unveils these images for public appreciation.
The book titled Lisette Model: The Jazz Pictures (2025) features Model’s photographs alongside essays by notable figures like Audrey Sands and Langston Hughes. This publication brings to light the hidden works of an artist who captured some of the most vibrant personalities of the jazz era.
