Gusmano Cesaretti’s Photographic Documentation of East Los Angeles
# The Huntington Library Acquires the Gusmano Cesaretti Archives
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California, has made a significant addition to its extensive photographic collection by acquiring the archives of Italian-born photographer Gusmano Cesaretti. Comprising approximately 238 boxes filled with photographs, negatives, artist books, and other artwork and ephemera, this acquisition recognizes Cesaretti’s invaluable contribution to the visual documentation of Los Angeles over nearly six decades.
## A Pioneering Eye on Los Angeles Culture
Gusmano Cesaretti is widely regarded as a pioneering documentary photographer who has chronicled the cultural and social fabric of Los Angeles, particularly focusing on marginalized and underrepresented communities. His work captures the city’s evolving urban life, from Chicano graffiti artists and lowrider clubs to the burgeoning punk rock scene of the 1980s.
“Photographs are the anchor of the archive, but it is also about the lives he touched and interacted with, telling different stories about LA history and culture,” said Linde B. Lehtinen, the Huntington’s senior curator of photography, in an interview with *Hyperallergic.*
His images provide an unfiltered yet deeply personal view of LA’s social landscape, showcasing the spirit, struggle, and vibrancy of his subjects with empathy and authenticity.
## From Italy to LA: A Journey Through Photography
Cesaretti emigrated to the United States from Italy at the age of 19, first settling in Chicago before moving to Los Angeles in 1967. His early career as a photographer included a staff photographer position at the Huntington Library from 1971 to 1973, where he honed his technical skills by documenting the institution’s extensive artwork and gardens.
“In a way, I have a personal connection to the institution,” Cesaretti recalled. “But I never considered that they would be interested in my work since they were mostly focused on classic art and scientific documents.”
His passion for photography, however, extended far beyond institutional settings. During his free time, he wandered the streets of East Los Angeles, chronicling the lives of Latinx families, graffiti artists, and lowrider car clubs. His intimate portrayal of these communities stood in stark contrast to mainstream depictions, offering more honest and humanizing representations.
## Documenting Urban Communities
Among his most notable projects is *Street Writers: A Guided Tour of Chicano Graffiti* (1975), a book that documented the emerging Chicano graffiti movement. This project was particularly influenced by his collaboration with artist Chaz Bojórquez, one of the most prominent figures in LA’s street art history. Their work helped bring attention to Cholo-style graffiti, an artistic expression that was often overlooked or dismissed as mere vandalism.
Cesaretti’s archive at the Huntington Library also includes other significant series, such as:
– *East LA Diary* (1970s) – A deep dive into the world of lowrider culture and Latinx families.
– *Police Academy, Los Angeles* (1979–1980) – A behind-the-scenes look at police recruits training for duty.
– *Punks, Los Angeles* (1982) – A documentation of LA’s early punk rock scene.
– *Take None Give None* (2016) – A documentary film on a multiracial motorcycle club in South Central LA.
Beyond Los Angeles, Cesaretti expanded his focus internationally, capturing subjects such as folk healers in Oaxaca, Mexico, and documenting gun culture in Colón, Panama.
## A Legacy in Film and Photography
Cesaretti’s artistic vision has also made an impact on Hollywood. Since the late 1970s, he has worked as a visual consultant for film and television, collaborating with director Michael Mann on projects like *Miami Vice* (1985–1989), *Heat* (1995), and *Ali* (2001), among others. His ability to capture raw, cinematic realism in urban settings made him a trusted creative partner in these productions.
## A Lasting Impact
One of the most remarkable aspects of Cesaretti’s career is the level of trust he established with his subjects. Despite being an “outsider” to many of the communities he photographed, his genuine engagement and respect for them allowed him to create profoundly candid and evocative images.
Lehtinen emphasized this quality, stating, “He is respectful but gets to their essence, a remarkable combination that produces such exceptional and deeply felt work.”
Cesaretti himself recalled a touching moment when, years after taking a portrait of a family in East LA, he returned as a location scout for a film and discovered that his photograph was still hanging on their wall, displayed alongside their closest family members.
“That really moved me,” he shared. “I think that my way of shooting people, wanting to know my subjects