The Two Faces of Juliet c. 1937 - 1950

György Kepes created this layered image, "The Two Faces of Juliet," using photography and collage. Here, the double profile of a woman is dissected and connected by sharp, geometric lines. This juxtaposition brings to mind the Roman god Janus, often depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions, symbolizing the past and the future. But here, with Juliet, there's no clear before or after. Instead, we see the character broken into fragmented states, interconnected yet separate. The stark lines suggest an attempt to map or understand her duality, evoking a sense of vulnerability. Consider how these lines contrast with the soft, ethereal portrayal of the face itself. Is it a clinical analysis of emotion? Perhaps it reflects the fractured nature of love, as seen through the tragic tale of Shakespeare’s Juliet. The collective memory of Juliet's passion and despair reverberates through the image, engaging us on a deep, subconscious level. The motif of duality and the lines of fate are timeless, resurfacing in art across centuries.