Untitled 

This photomontage was made by György Kepes, combining a portrait with a peacock feather. Kepes was fascinated by the interplay between the natural world and the human form, and photography was central to his artistic vision. Kepes would have used darkroom techniques like double exposure and collage, pushing the boundaries of the medium, experimenting to produce surreal effects. The resulting image is striking, and the choice of the peacock feather is particularly potent: in Western culture, the peacock symbolizes vanity and pride. Here, though, the feather brings an element of exoticism, partially obscuring the sitter’s face, inviting us to look closer. What’s interesting is that this composition anticipates graphic design through photography. Kepes was a bridge between avant-garde art and visual communication, with the intention of promoting social harmony. By looking closely at the materials and techniques that artists like Kepes use, we can appreciate how he sought to challenge distinctions between fine art and design.