FRANTISEK DRTIKOL (1883–1961)

FRANTISEK DRTIKOL (1883–1961) 'Composition' (Nude), Prague 1929 Image Size: 30 x 24 cm Gelatin silver glass negative 30 x 24 cm, original retouching, emulsion side protected with cover glass, in very good condition, numbered "47" on the lower right. Included a later print from this same original negative, on double-weight semi-matte warm-tone paper 33 x 26 cm (image size 29 x 23,1 cm), in excellent condition. LITERATURE Frantisek Drtikol, Žena ve Světle. Text by J. R. Marek, Prague 1930, ill. no. 27 (same series); Vladimir Birgus, Fotograf Frantisek Drtikol, Prague 1994, plate 87 (reversed); Frantisek Drtikol, Modernist Nudes. Text by Vladimir Birgus, Robert Koch Gallery, San Francisco 1997, plate 33 (dated); Anna Fárová / Manfred Heiting (eds.), Frantisek Drtikol. Photograph des Art Deco, Munich 1986, p. 52. In the 1920s, Drtikol became internationally known for his fascinating Art Deco nude photographs, characterised by geometric elements, expressive-dynamic poses and dramatic light staging. His independent formal language is inspired by Futurism, Expressionism and Cubism, yet always conveys a lyrical mood. His early publications and surviving vintage prints prove that he printed his carefully arranged nude compositions in both orientations, i.e. he also developed his negatives laterally reversed. This is another reason why his original glass negatives, which show the original orientation at the time of exposure, are valuable collector's items. The origin of the present negative in the 1920s has been conservationally examined and is recognisable by characteristics of the retouching as well as the glass.