Claude Cahun

Claude Cahun was a French writer and photographer who was a pioneering figure in the aesthetics of modernity. She is best known for her strikingly staged self-portraits, which used costumes, makeup, and technical effects to tackle themes of identity and self-representation. Cahun was politically active and involved with a wide circle of artists and intellectuals, including the Surrealists. She was a pioneering figure in the aesthetics of modernity who never stopped crossing boundaries of gender and genre.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 29 June 2023
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

Claude Cahun, born Lucy Schwob, was a multifaceted artist known for her captivating writings and remarkable photographic achievements. While she gained recognition as a writer during her lifetime, her photographic work only gained prominence after her passing. Cahun, who was politically active and associated with a diverse group of artists and intellectuals, including the Surrealists, embraced her unique approach to both life and art. Her most renowned works include striking self-portraits, where she employed costumes, makeup, and technical effects to explore themes of identity and self-representation. Cahun's fascination with symmetry, mirroring, repurposing, and retouching was evident in her diverse photographic styles, including portraiture, photomontage, and still-life tableaux. Whether working independently or in collaboration with her life partner Marcel Moore (born Suzanne Malherbe), Cahun emerged as a pioneering figure in the aesthetics of modernity, challenging societal norms and defying gender and genre boundaries.

Her legacy continues to inspire artists and scholars, with her innovative approach to photography and her exploration of identity and self-expression serving as a testament to her artistic brilliance.

Weight: 260g
Dimension: 190 x 125 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780500297490