Vintage gelatin silver print (postcard)
Vienna, Austria, 1928
Rudolf Koppitz (1884-1936) – Viennese photographer and luminous icon of Austrian photography of the early 20th century
With the photographer’s blindstamp lower right ‘Prof. R. Koppitz’
Verso with typographic inscriptions, the photographer’s studio address as well as inscribed in pencil with the picture number ‘33’
Image dimensions: 13.7 x 6.4 cm; sheet dimensions: 15 x 10.5 cm
Literature: Monika Faber (ed.), Rudolf Koppitz 1884-1936, Vienna 1995, p. 75.; Monika Faber (ed.): Rudolf Koppitz – Photogenie, Vienna 2013, p. 123.
Provenance: Private collection, Germany
Very good condition
Aesthetic nude photograph by one of Austria’s most famous photographers of the early 20th century; postcards with motifs by Rudolf Koppitz fetch up to €10,000 at international auctions

Rudolf Koppitz’ works captivate through their mysterious aura and aesthetic quality. The present postcard a vintage original gelatin silver print of an immaculate female nude adopting a contrapost position reminiscent of ancient sculptures. The photograph was taken in 1928, when Koppitz was still focused on the artistic representation of the human body, but gradually changed his Symbolist style in favor of a more documentary approach.

Literature:

Monika Faber (ed.), Rudolf Koppitz 1884-1936, Vienna 1995, p. 75.; Monika Faber (ed.): Rudolf Koppitz – Photogenie, Vienna 2013, p. 123.

Condition:

The vintage postcard is in very good condition considering its age. The image measures 13.7 x 6.4 cm, the paper size is 15 x 10.5 cm.

Rudolf Koppitz (1884-1936)

Rudolf Koppitz was trained as a photographer by Robert Rotter from Bruntál, Czech Republic, and continued to work as a contract photographer until 1912, before attending the ‘Graphische Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt’ (‘Graphic Institution of Teaching and Experimentation’) in Vienna. The artist’s early works are strongly influenced by the Viennese Secession and primarily show views of the city as well as alpine landscapes. After World War I Koppitz created many portraits of the human figure, including his work ‘Bewegungsstudie’ (Motion Study) from c. 1927, which is still considered the most famous image in Austrian photography of the early 20th century, today. Koppitz’s works are defined by their rigorous composition, a pronounced awareness of form, and a fascinating play of light and shadow. (cbo)

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