Articles

Germaine Krull’s 1928 photobook Métal is considered one of the most significant photobooks of the twentieth century. Unlike conventional books, Métal is a unique object with a folded board cover and unbound plates showcasing industrial photography, printed as collotypes. The images depict machinery and structures from European cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam, emphasizing modern industrial forms without captions, allowing viewers to create their own interpretations. The photobook’s innovative design and dynamic photographic style have continued to inspire artists and designers since its publication. Métal was the first of six photobooks Krull published during a prolific phase in her career. Read Article

Germaine Krull, a pioneering photographer of the early 20th century, gained prominence in 1928 Paris for her avant-garde photographs featured in the magazine VU. Known for her modernist style, Krull captured city life, industrial structures, and intimate images of female couples, challenging conventional representation of gender and queer desire. Her photo book Métal (1928) highlighted industrial Europe, while her earlier portfolio Les amies depicted tender moments between women, reflecting her own queer experiences. Krull’s work defied norms by portraying queer female sexuality openly during a time of widespread invisibility and anxiety about lesbian identity. Read Article

Germaine Krull was a pioneering modernist photographer whose work was championed by Man Ray but has since been largely overlooked. Born in 1897, Krull traveled extensively and developed a unique photographic style that ranged from nudes to urban landscapes. She was an innovator in photographic books and utilized experimental techniques such as multiple exposures and unusual perspectives. A recent exhibition at Jeu de Paume in Paris showcases over 130 of her prints, including rare early works and images from her travels in Southeast Asia. This exhibition highlights her lasting impact on 20th-century photography. Read Article

Germaine Krull was a revolutionary photographer and political radical whose work was once acknowledged by Man Ray as his equal. Active primarily in the 1920s and 1930s, she pioneered modernist photographic techniques and produced influential photobooks such as Métal, which redefined visual poetry through images of industrial structures. Despite her early success and contributions to fashion, portrait, and documentary photography, Krull's recognition waned compared to her male contemporaries. A recent Paris exhibition, Jeu de Paume: Germaine Krull (1897–1985): a Photographer's Journey, aims to restore her legacy as a groundbreaking artist and radical free spirit who lived a diverse and nomadic life. Read Article

Germaine Krull (1897-1985) was a pioneering figure in modern photography and photojournalism, active mainly between 1920 and 1940. This exhibition at Jeu de Paume highlights her Parisian period (1926-1935), focusing on her innovative reportage style and modernist vision through 130 vintage prints and period documents. Krull’s work is notable for its freedom from aesthetic norms, her contributions to avant-garde publications like VU, and her role as one of the first photographers to publish photo books. She combined artistic creativity with political engagement and extensive travel, producing impactful photo series on urban life, industrial landscapes, and Asian culture. Read Article