Jacobi’s ‘photogenics’

Lotte Jacobi (1896 – 1990) ~ Birdform, 1946-1955 (printed 1981). Platinum print. | src Akron Art Museum
Lotte Jacobi (1896 – 1990) ~ Bird in Flight – Homage to Brancusi, 1946-1955 (printed 1981). Platinum print. | src Akron Art Museum

Though best known for her portraits of famous people, Jacobi also experimented with abstraction in her “photogenics.” She described making these photograms (photographs made without a camera) as drawing on photo-sensitized paper by moving the light source. While photography is most often used to document the external world, Jacobi’s abstractions are a vehicle for imagination.

Lotte Jacobi (1896 – 1990) ~ Untitled photogram, 1946-1955 (printed 1981). Platinum print. | src Akron Art Museum
Lotte Jacobi (1896 – 1990) ~ Untitled photogram, 1946-1955 (printed 1981). Platinum print. | src Akron Art Museum

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