Negative Nude c. 1920s - 1930s

Here is a "Negative Nude" by Franz Roh, made with photography. The lights and darks are inverted, the composition is a complex balancing act, and I can imagine Roh in the darkroom, his hands moving with a deft, almost painterly touch. I wonder what he was thinking? The contours of the body, made strange and unfamiliar, create a powerful sense of intimacy, even vulnerability. It makes me think about how our perception shapes reality. The process of making art is about seeing things not as they are, but as they could be, a kind of alchemy. Ultimately, it’s all about conversation. Artists are always riffing off each other, pushing boundaries, and opening new possibilities. Roh is part of this ongoing exchange, inspiring new forms of creativity and expanding our understanding of what art can be.