Princeton University Photography Scholar Peter Bunnell Dies At 83

PRINCETON, NJ — Legendary photography scholar and former curator of the Princeton University Art Museum, Peter C. Bunnell died on Sept. 20, the Museum said. He was 83.

Bunnell was the curator of photography at the Museum of Modern Art from 1966 to 1972. He then came to Princeton University as the inaugural David Hunter McAlpin Professor of the History of Photography and Modern Art.

Bunnell spent more than 30 years at the Princeton University Art Museum.

“It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of our wonderful friend and colleague Peter Bunnell — one of the most essential figures in the history of photography and in the history of our museum,” James Steward, Director of the museum said in a statement.

“No one did more than Peter to shape the field of photography or our collections at Princeton—but equally his national and international influence was immense. He taught, mentored, and shaped generations of students, scholars, curators, and others. He was also one of the kindest people you could hope to know.”

Bunnell was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1937. He received a Master of Fine Arts in photography from Ohio University in 1961, and a master’s in art history from Yale University in 1965.

At the Museum of Modern Art, Bunnell curated important exhibitions, including the first survey of the work of Clarence H. White.

Through his leadership, Princeton University Art Museum holds one of North America’s most important repositories of historical photographs, including modern Japanese photography. The Museum’s curatorship of photography was named in Bunnell’s honor in 2011.

In 1978, Bunnell oversaw the exhibition of work by the photographer Harry Callahan at the 38th Venice Biennale. He was also a Guggenheim Foundation Fellow in 1979 and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.

A celebration of his life and work will be held at a later date, the museum said.