当代史研究中的图像研究方法及其史学意义

The Methodology of Image Study and Its Significance in Contemporary Historical Study

视觉图像资料在当代史研究中的价值不言而喻,但是,如何运用和研究这些图像资料的方法仍很值得研究。常见的现当代图像资料大体上分为摄影图像与作为艺术创作的图像这两大类,摄影图像作为当代史研究的重要证据的意义比较容易被认识,而通过对艺术图像的解读还原历史情境的方法则容易被忽视。图像研究在当代史研究中的史学意义不仅是扩大了当代史研究的视野,更重要的是把图像资料作为更全面地还原历史情境的重要途径。

The importance of visual images in the study of contemporary history is clear and uncontroversial. However, the methods by which we study these images and incorporate them into part of a historical analysis are themselves important subjects of inquiry. This article takes a twofold approach, discussing both images of photography and artistic images, and seeks to establish ： （ 1 ） the significance of photographs as decisive evidence in researches of contemporary history, and （2） the methodology of reconstructing historical circumstances and context via interpretation of artistic images. The conclusion of this article is that images are important in studies of contemporary history not only in terms of their ability to broaden the scope of historical research, by also because they are important and perhaps indispensable approach to reconstructing the original historical context, hence enabling more accurate and vivid historical understanding.