Modern Architecture

The constructions of the great and near-great architects of the last 50 years are showcased in this handsome portfolio of architectural photographs. In more than 400 images, Stoller portrays many of the classics of modernism, from the rough-hewn grandeur of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesen West to the stark drama of Marcel Breuer's residences to Mies Van der Rohe's graceful monolith, the Seagram Building in New York City. Stoller's pictures are dramatic and authoritative, especially compelling in the black-and-white prints he favors; some of his innovations, such as single-point perspective, have achieved standard usage. Through his eyes, the past half century in architecture is seen as an era of self-assured, bold design and solid construction. Informative commentary by Saunders, of Harvard's Graduate School of Design, as well as quotations on subject and technique from Stoller, enhance the photos. A worthwhile addition to the architectural shelf. (Nov.)