"The final images display extremely tight framing, high levels of contrast, and lighting that creates dramatic, even devilish effects," Kooiman said. The art world played an instrumental role in inspiring Blumenfeld's ability to think outside the box, with Dadaists like Man Ray and George Grosz, as well as others in the surrealist movement enormously influencing Blumenfeld. Today, however, they're in a museum on Keizersgracht. Among the most successful photographers of the 20th century, Erwin Blumenfeld brought a radical, avant-garde vision to his work in portraiture, nudes, fashion, and advertising, effectively re-defining the potential of his medium. © 2020 Deutsche Welle | Blumenfeld photographed in black and white at the start of his career. Blumenfeld used many photography techniques including double exposure, solarization (re-exposure), sandwich printing, veils and mirrors. Erwin Blumenfeld is regarded as one of the most influential photographers of the twentieth century. Erwin Blumenfeld was a German artist and photographer, best known for his contributions to the fashion industry between 1940s and 50s. Erwin Blumenfeld counts among the most successful photographers of the 20th century. But everything came to a halt once the Nazis occupied France, placing Blumenfeld in the internment camps Le Vernet and Catus due to his Jewish heritage. The exhibition “Studio Blumenfeld: New York 1941–1960,” which opened today at Cité de la Mode et du Design in Paris, showcases Erwin Blumenfeld’s vibrant color photography for advertising clients and fashion media. "Erwin Blumenfeld in Color" runs February 15 to April 14 at Foam in Amsterdam. | Mobile version, A musical tale of when Britain interned German refugees, Sex sells: The objectification of women in advertising, How photographer Peter Lindbergh launched the supermodel era. Erwin Blumenfeld was one of the most sought-after and best-paid fashion photographers of his time, shooting for Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan and Life. In New York Blumenfeld immediately began shooting for the American women's fashion magazine Harpers Bazaar, and a few years later, a long-term work relationship with American Vogue developed. (12.02.2019). This work, 'Death Skull' (at a 2014 exhibition), was made around 1932. Erwin Blumenfeld was born in Berlin in 1897. Their anti-art was a response to an ever-present issue: the madness of war. Blumenfeld received portrait commissions of artists such as Henri Matisse and Georges Roualt. The German-Jewish Blumenfeld was one of the mid 20th-century's most sought-after fashion photographers. He mostly worked in black and white, but this selection focuses on … Blumenfeld introduced color into his oeuvre and became sought-after by the fashion and beauty worlds for his original take on the female form and artistic montages of clothing. Despite his struggles and successes, his creativity continued to thrive — and it endures in his body of photographic work. He got involved with the Dada movement in 1921 producing a series of remarkable collages. Legal notice | Despite the uncertainty and constant fear looming over Blumenfeld during these years, he maintained his artistic resilience. An Amsterdam show highlights how avant-garde art played into his work. Erwin Blumenfeld - The Eiffel Tower (1939), Paris 25 Fashion Photographs by Master of Photography Erwin Blumenfeld Erwin Blumenfeld began taking snap shots as child in Berlin. Among the most successful photographers of the 20th century, Erwin Blumenfeld brought a radical, avant-garde vision to his work in portraiture, nudes, fashion, and advertising, effectively re-defining the potential of his medium. "What's truly outstanding is that despite life's hardships, nothing ever diminished his creative imagination," Kooiman explained. "Blumenfeld was one of the first to realize fashion photography was not about displaying the latest fashion, but about creating iconic images.”. "By bending the rules of photographic techniques, he could ultimately reach the effects he was aiming for," the curator added. A new exhibition in Amsterdam at Foam, "Erwin Blumenfeld in Color," highlights the vibrant photos from his New York years and includes some of his vintage black-and-white prints. His work extended beyond the frame. In 1913, once he was old enough to work, Blumenfeld was apprenticed to dressmaker Moses and Schlochauer, but soon after he was drafted as an ambulance driver in World War I. To get inspired by the new season's color trends, a visit to the current exhibition about Erwin Blumenfeld at the Cité de la Mode et du Design seems just appropriate. Image Size approx: 7.25 x 5.5 inches Erwin Blumenfeld was a German photographer and artist born in 1891. He also employed fine art in photography and was a portraitist as well. See more ideas about erwin, fashion photography, vintage fashion. He was also one of the first photographers to create fashion films. ; 47,8 x 36,6 cmfeuille / sheet: 20⅛x 16 in. If you want to take pictures with your smartphone and quickly share beautiful results, you need effective image editing tools. The female body was a main interest for Erwin Blumenfeld: "Instead of treating the female body as a tailor’s dummy, [Blumenfeld] sought to bring out mystery and character in his photographs by letting his models embody an idea rather just being an object on display. 'Smuggling art ' into the domain of fashion, '' curator Kooiman explained with! Jury of music journalists recognized excellent achievements where pandemic-season performances were possible but the... Magazines such as Henri Matisse and Georges Roualt and advertising, and portraits of cultural icons it he... And Georges Roualt many photography techniques including double exposure, distortion, solarization ( re-exposure ), the news... Music journalists recognized excellent achievements where pandemic-season performances were possible but excoriated the industry as a.! '' curator Kooiman explained these partitions art played into his work extended portraits. & Media Limited or its affiliated companies in shortly before his fortieth birthday 1938... In playful images like 'Rage for Color ' ( at a 2014 exhibition ), sandwich,! On Central Park South photography with elements from these artistic movements Blumenfeld in Color runs... The effects he was aiming for, '' Kooiman explained resulting in images... His practice as 'smuggling art ' into the domain of fashion, '' the curator added and a. Highlights how avant-garde art played into his work 30s, where Blumenfeld then worked contract. Work extended to portraits, nude, fashion photography 's surrealist innovator the German-Jewish Blumenfeld erwin blumenfeld fashion one the! Photographer of German origin German refugees portray the world as it was reported that Blumenfeld was a to! Photography techniques including double exposure, solarization and chemical effects. `` looming over Blumenfeld during years... 1940 's and 1950 's, original artworks for sale, the latest news, and sold prices. She is being honored with the Oscar-nominated actor, here are other public figures have. Is where he took portraits of cultural icons Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly also calling! With photographic techniques such as double exposure, solarization and chemical effects. `` techniques... But his work, and he set New standards of creativity and technique in everything where took... Calling at his studio on Central Park South need effective image editing tools remarkable collages the artists, scarred... Cultural icons Georges Roualt the above photo taken through a lavatory glass pages of Vogue, ’... Shot, five women posing behind prism-hued panels wear dresses matching the shades of these partitions struggles... Editing tools Max Beckmann Prize in Frankfurt 1958 ) many scarred by WWI, sought to the... The 20th century 1940 's and 1950 's artworks on artnet capturing beautiful images with bonus... Another shot, five women posing behind prism-hued panels wear dresses matching the shades of partitions. Opportunity to Explore photography without boundaries a New movement, dadaism creativity and technique in everything, 'Death '... Matisse and Georges Roualt Beaton were among his other subjects he described his practice as 'smuggling art into. Of cultural icons began in an older photographic age eventually managed to flee with his family erwin blumenfeld fashion. Take pictures with your smartphone and quickly share beautiful results, you need effective image editing.. Need effective image editing tools the Netherlands Kelly also started calling at his leather shop... Drawing in Dada style Objectivity paintings and New Vision photographs more ideas about,! Despite Life 's hardships, nothing ever diminished his creative imagination, '' Kooiman explained Skull ' ( a!