KBr Fundación Mapfre - Barcelona Photo Center

Image Cities was a winning entry in the inaugural 2021 MAPFRE Photo Award. It shows city scenes and streetscapes, including predominantly New York. Never having heard, or seen any, of Ilse Bing's work it was a fine opportunity to become acquainted with a selection of her voluminous oeuvre. Born in Frankfort in 1899 she died at the grand age of 99 in New York. Working primarily in Frankfort, Paris and New York, she lived in an era when women in these professions were often treated with disdain and hostility. To her credit she didn’t let this be a barrier to her creating an informative and important documentation of the often turbulent times she lived through. Evocative black and white photos show engaging scenes of people going about their daily lives. A child, Blanche, holding a large rabbit is grand. As is Three Schnauzers, Three Shadows. Some self portraits are also included.

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