ringl with Glasses

Together they created an advertising photography studio titled with their childhood nicknames. The extreme close-up and unusual angle of the head here are characteristic practices of modernist photography in the 1920s and 1930s. The fact that the subject of the portrait does not look at us frustrates our desire to make a connection while suggesting a photograph’s limitations in probing the soul of a sitter.

A vertically oriented black-and-white photograph depicts a close-up of Ilse Bing, a person with light skin tone tilted downward and toward our right. She wears thick, black, round-rimmed glasses over closed eyes. Wisps of dark hair fall across her forehead. Her face is speckled with freckles, and her dark-toned lips are closed. The composition tightly crops the top of her head and chin.

Ringl with Glasses

1929, printed 1985

ringl + pit, Ellen Auerbach

(German), (American, 1906–2004)

Germany

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork

Artwork Page for ringl with Glasses

Details / Information for ringl with Glasses