Die Schauspielerin Ilse Wachter (The Actress Ilse Wachter) c. 1932

This is Yva’s photograph of the actress Ilse Wachter, and it's a world of soft focus and tonal range, probably made in the early part of the 20th century. It’s like the photographer is almost painting with light. The gradations of tone, from the deepest shadows in the fur stole to the highlights catching the brim of the hat, feel very considered. Look at the way the light falls across Ilse’s face. It’s not sharp or clinical, but soft and gentle, almost like a caress. It's the kind of image that lingers in the mind, with a very modern feeling. The texture of the photographic paper itself also adds something. It’s not a slick, glossy print, but more matte and textured, which gives the image a tactile quality. The way Yva has handled the light makes me think of Man Ray. She's clearly part of a conversation, experimenting with the possibilities of the medium, and letting the process inform the final image. It's a gorgeous, subtle and timeless portrait.