Karl Schenker's Glamorous Portraits at Museum Ludwig Cologne
The Museum Ludwig in Cologne presents 'Master of Beauty. Karl Schenker’s Glamorous Images', a retrospective of the photographer known for his retouched portraits of Berlin high society in the 1920s. Schenker (Bukovina, 1886 – London, 1954) was celebrated as a 'master of beauty' and 'creator of elegant figures'. His work, which includes fashion photography and portraits of actresses, reflects the era's obsession with appearance, akin to today's social media culture. Schenker employed extensive retouching—painting fur coats onto nude photographs, using soft focus to sublimate reality. The exhibition, curated by Miriam Halwani, runs until January 8, 2017.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Master of Beauty. Karl Schenker’s Glamorous Images' at Museum Ludwig, Cologne.
- Curated by Miriam Halwani.
- Runs until January 8, 2017.
- Schenker was known for retouched portraits of Berlin's high society in the 1920s.
- He painted fur coats onto nude photographs using brush retouching.
- His style involved soft focus and sublimation of reality.
- Schenker was born in Bukovina in 1886 and died in London in 1954.
- The exhibition draws parallels between 1920s photography and modern social media.
Entities
Artists
- Karl Schenker
- Heinz Hajek-Halke
- Margherita Foresti
Institutions
- Museum Ludwig
- Artribune
Locations
- Cologne
- Germany
- Bukovina
- London
- Berlin