This artistic vintage black-and-white photogram is an abstract work in Man Ray's iconic style. The object in the photograph, a flower that simultaneously evokes the suggestion of a dance, has an ethereal and almost translucent quality. It is set against a deep black background, making the object stand out in powerful silhouettes and contrasts. The delicate detail of the flower, combined with the faint angelic shapes, gives the picture a dreamy, almost mystical feel.
The work was created through the photogram process, a technique in which objects are placed and exposed directly on photographic paper, resulting in an abstract print without the need for a camera. The transparency of the flower, which appears simultaneously fragile and powerful, is enhanced by the use of direct light, which accentuates the fragile structures and delicate nature of the subject.
Similar works are Man Ray's photograms, especially his famous "Le Violon d'Ingres" (1924) in which a woman's back is transformed into an abstract work of art. The works of German artist László Moholy-Nagy, who experimented with light and abstraction in photography, also come to mind. In American photography, such as that of Imogen Cunningham, we see a combination of botanical and abstract photography that captures the fragility of nature.
Photographers like Man Ray used techniques like solarisation and photograms to offer new ways of seeing and understanding. This photograph captures the essence of those experiments and creates a mesmerising image of duality and sophistication.
Created by Roger VDB with support from AI.
Hobby photographer and all-round creative. My portfolio consists of own photography and CC0-photoshop adaptations. I also "restore" old photos and illustrations digitally and make collages you can keep looking at!.. Read more…