Ilse Bing

Ilse Bing was a German-born photographer who became one of the most important and influential figures in the history of modern photography. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Bing studied mathematics and art history at university before discovering her passion for photography in the early 1920s.

Bing's early work was characterized by her use of experimental techniques, such as the use of unusual camera angles, multiple exposures, and reflections, to create surreal and dreamlike images. She quickly became known for her unique approach to photography, and her work was published in several influential magazines and journals.

In the late 1920s, Bing moved to Paris, where she continued to develop her photographic style and became associated with the Surrealist movement. Her photographs from this period often focused on the cityscape of Paris and the everyday life of its inhabitants, and they were noted for their use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and texture.

During World War II, Bing was forced to flee Europe and moved to the United States, where she continued to work as a photographer and became known for her portraits of famous writers, artists, and intellectuals, including Jean-Paul Sartre, Richard Wright, and Marc Chagall.

Bing's contributions to modern photography were recognized in a major retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City in 1966, which cemented her status as one of the leading photographers of the 20th century.