Portraits and rural scenes compose the visual approach of Vernacular Modernism: The Photography of Doris Ulmann, capturing early 20th-century American life with a focus on Appalachian communities. The photographs emphasize the dignity and character of everyday people, revealing a nuanced interplay between modernist aesthetics and vernacular subjects.

The mood throughout these 200 pages is contemplative and respectful, reflecting Ulmann’s dedication to documenting cultural heritage and regional identity through meticulous composition and natural lighting. Published by the Georgia Museum of Art in 2018, the collection withstands purely documentary assumptions, instead presenting a modernist exploration of local traditions.