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The Historic New Orleans Collection
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The Advocate: Book About New Orleans Artist Showcases 100 Previously Unseen Photographs

June 16, 2025

“George Valentine Dureau: Life and Art in New Orleans” by Howard Philips Smith features unpublished works by the legendary artist, housed at HNOC.

A black and white self portrait by George Dureau. Photo shows the artist pointing his camera at a mirror. A black circle surrounds the subject.
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Wednesday
2–4 p.m.
The Shop Presents
The Shop presents a book signing with Howard Philips Smith, author of “George Valentine Dureau: Life and Art in New Orleans.”
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First Draft

The Intimate Eye of George Dureau

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A person stands outdoors, holding a translucent fabric over their head against a textured wall. The shadow casts an intricate pattern on the wall. A potted plant and some grass are visible in the foreground.

Clarence John Laughlin Archive

Through his dreamlike black-and-white images, the surrealist Louisiana photographer explored, amplified, and commented on the mystique of the South.

Allison “Tootie” Montana, big chief of the Yellow Pocahontas wearing an elaborate pink and orange feathered costume with detailed beadwork and intricate patterns stands confidently. The outfit includes a large headdress and symbolic designs across the chest and arms.

Michael P. Smith Collection

Smith documented the music, parading, and Black folk traditions of New Orleans for decades.

A nun stands outside a building with three large arched windows. She is facing the windows, holding a book. The building is white with some visible plants and a tree on the right. The scene has a quiet, contemplative atmosphere.

Mother St. Croix Photographs of Ursuline Convent

The ebullient nun documented her cloisters, sisters, and pupils with care and skill. In doing so she became the earliest known woman to photographically record daily life in New Orleans

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Louisiana Lens: Photographs from the Historic New Orleans Collection

Cover of Louisiana Lens by John H. Lawrence. Shows a photograph of an elderly man reflected in a circular mirror, propped on a windowsill next to a wooden chair. The text mentions Photographs from The Historic New Orleans Collection.
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