Hommage à Kandinsky

Marta Hoepffner

1930s, printed 1937 · Gelatin silver print · Photographs

Hoepffner studied painting and graphic design at the Bauhaus before turning to photography. In this photogram, she places stencils on photosensitized paper to create an abstract play of diagonals, gridded forms, and floating, mistlike patches. In both title and appearance, the work pays homage to painter and Bauhaus instructor Vasily Kandinsky, who, like Hoepffner, likened abstract art to music. Hoepffner made several other photograms at this time, often dedicated to famous composers or musical scores. Although many of her experimental photographs of the 1930s were destroyed in World War II, in the 1960s, Hoepffner would go on to play a role in the light and kinetic art movement.

Artist

Marta Hoepffner

Date

1930s, printed 1937

Medium

Gelatin silver print

Department

Photographs

Credit line

Ford Motor Company Collection, Gift of Ford Motor Company and John C. Waddell, 1987