Else Wachenheimer-Moos in de tuin met een hond, 1920-1935, Duitsland? c. 1920 - 1935

This small photograph by an unknown member of the Wachenheimer family, was taken in Germany sometime between 1920 and 1935, and depicts Else Wachenheimer in a garden with her dog. The neutral tones and soft light give the image a dreamy, ethereal quality, reminiscent of early photography experiments. It’s interesting to consider the material aspects of this work, the way the light interacts with the paper, creating subtle variations in tone and texture. Look at the way her dress falls, the drape of the fabric captured so well, next to the small and energetic presence of the dog sitting at her feet. I get a feeling for a sense of care in the composition; the framing of the shot and the relationship between the woman and her pet. The image reminds me of the work of artists like Claude Cahun, who also used photography to explore ideas around identity and representation, and to celebrate the intimate and personal. These kinds of portraits allow us to consider the ways in which art can offer moments of quiet reflection on life, relationships, and our place in the world.