Gertrudes Altschul

Gertrudes Altschul (b. 1904-1962) was a pioneering figure in Brazilian modernist photography. Despite being acknowledged in the field of photography in Brazil, her work is known only in specialized circles, having been scantly published and exhibited something that this exhibition, the first in a museum, and its publication intend to rectify. Of Jewish origin, Altschul migrated to Brazil in 1939 from her native Berlin with her husband, Leon Altschul (1890-1975), fleeing the Nazi regime. They settled in São Paulo, where she divided her time between photography and the production of flowers for hats in a factory they managed. Altschulœs photographic work was in tune with the language of Brazilian modern photography, which sought to break away from the classic principles of composition by using abstract and figurative geometric constructions, while experimenting with light, shadow, lines, rhythms, planes as well as development and printing photo processes. In this context, Altschulœs themes concentrated on Brazilian modern architecture and botanical motifs, primarily leaves, as well as everyday objects in different scales, photographic still lives of sorts. The exhibition, which borrows its title from Filigrana [Filigree], one of the Altschulœs most celebrated photographs , presents 62 vintage photographs. The works are grouped into major themes: botany, architecture and still lifes. There are also some images of people, something less frequently explored by Altschul. Gertrudes Altschul (b. 1904-1962) was a pioneering figure in Brazilian modernist photography. Despite being acknowledged in the field of photography in Brazil, her work is known only in specialized circles, having been scantly published and exhibited something that this exhibition, the first in a museum, and its publication intend to rectify. Of Jewish origin, Altschul migrated to Brazil in 1939 from her native Berlin with her husband, Leon Altschul (1890-1975), fleeing the Nazi regime. They settled in São Paulo, where she divided her time between photography and the production of flowers for hats in a factory they managed. Altschulœs photographic work was in tune with the language of Brazilian modern photography, which sought to break away from the classic principles of composition by using abstract and figurative geometric constructions, while experimenting with light, shadow, lines, rhythms, planes as well as development and printing photo processes. In this context, Altschulœs themes concentrated on Brazilian modern architecture and botanical motifs, primarily leaves, as well as everyday objects in different scales, photographic still lives of sorts. The exhibition, which borrows its title from Filigrana [Filigree], one of the Altschulœs most celebrated photographs , presents 62 vintage photographs. The works are grouped into major themes: botany, architecture and still lifes. There are also some images of people, something less frequently explored by Altschul.