About this artwork
Eli Lotar worked in Paris between the two world wars and is best known for his experimental films and uncanny photographic contributions to the Surrealist publication “Documents.” In this image, however, Lotar delivered a gentle abstraction: perhaps shot during a pause in a circus routine, the image freezes a swinging rope ladder, creating a geometric contrast with the tent’s luminous canvas panels. In February 1932, New York collector and gallery owner Julien Levy, who is commonly credited with introducing Surrealism to an American audience, included Lotar’s work in an influential exhibition titled “Modern European Photography.”
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Photography and Media
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Artist
- Eli Lotar
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Title
- Untitled
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Place
- France (Artist's nationality:)
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Date
- Made 1925–1935
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Medium
- Gelatin silver print
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Inscriptions
- Unmarked recto; stamped verso, upper right, in black ink: "JULIEN LEVY GALLERY, INC. / 15 EAST 57th STREET / NEW YORK CITY"; verso, center, in black ink: "Photo ELI LOTAR"; inscribed verso, lower left, in graphite: "[illegible] / #5"; verso, lower center, in graphite: "1" [encircled]
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Dimensions
- Image/paper: 10.7 × 14.3 cm (4 1/4 × 5 11/16 in.)
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Credit Line
- Julien Levy Collection, Gift of Jean Levy and the Estate of Julien Levy
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Reference Number
- 1988.157.43
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
