“Now for some news: I’m taking photographs,” wrote FlorenceHenri in 1927 🖤
with revolutionising the art form: “With Florence Henri’s photos, photographic practice enters a new phase – the scope of which would have been unimaginable before today.”
Henri was born in New York in 1893, and following her parents’ early deaths she spent her youth absorbing European culture . Throughout two world wars and the Great Depression she flitted between Paris, Rome, and Berlin, where she moved among the most significant Cubists, Futurists, and Constructivists of her day, and was an accomplished pianist, painter, and photographer in her own right.
“Doubtlessly,” Henri said, “you will find that the word ‘composition’ comes to my lips. This is because this idea is everything to me.” Her work is recognisable for its optical experimentation; Henri would use varying depths of field, space, light, and especially reflections, to create groundbreaking still lifes, landscapes, and portraits of herself and fellow women artists.
With inventive scenes that would delve into her sitters’ mental landscapes, visualising their pensive, determined, and independent personalities, Henri would represent them as women familiar with the tumultuous demands of the modern industrialised city, even if they are constrained by its structures. Her critique of the passive representation of women extended to the traditionally male practice of nude photography, examples of which she contributed to a number of magazines and art books.
The significance of Henri’s early work has been somewhat passed by. She was a part of some of the most influential exhibitions of her time – including
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
William's kiss for Louis in new photo by KateA relaxed family photograph taken by the Duchess of Cambridge is released for Christmas.
Read more »
'Everyone loves a mushroom': London show celebrates art of the fungiWorks by 35 artists, designers and musicians feature in exhibition opening in January
Read more »
Ex-Trump staffer sues president’s campaign for pregnancy discriminationLawsuit claims female campaign staffer lost White House job opportunities after informing officials she was pregnant
Read more »
Alan Kurdi's death changed the global conversation on the refugee crisis – for a short timeMediterranean refugee crisis, 2014-present: Photographs of the Syrian boy’s body sparked an international outpouring of compassion towards refugees that has not been replicated since, Lizzie Dearden writes
Read more »
Queen wore bright red for church service as adorable gesture to royal fansThe Queen is always pictured out and about at engagements wearing bright, beautiful outfits but there's an interesting reason why she opts for such colourful clothes
Read more »