Provenance

Ilse Bing

Bing Wolff, Ilse Estate of

American, born Germany, 1899 - 1998

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The image shows a window with sheer curtains and a flower box containing plants below it. The color palette consists of shades of grey and black. The window is centered in the composition with curtains partially obstructing the view. A person with a camera is visible in the reflection on the window. The flower box sits directly underneath the window, framed by a textured wall.
Ilse Bing, Self-Portrait in Window, 1947, gelatin silver print, Gift of Ilse Bing Wolff, 2001.147.70

Self-Portrait in Window

Ilse Bing · 1947 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2001.147.70

This is a photograph of a person tying a package wrapped in newspaper on a city street. The image shows an individual leaning over to secure a small parcel wrapped in newspaper with string. The setting is an outdoor paved area, potentially a street or sidewalk, indicated by the rough, textured surface and shadows. The person, seen from the back, wears a textured sweater and a checked cap, focused on tying the string around the package. The scene is in black and white, emphasizing textures and contrasts. The parcel displays text and imagery from the newspaper used for wrapping.
Ilse Bing, Poverty in Paris, 1931, gelatin silver print, Gift of Ilse Bing Wolff, 2001.147.6

Poverty in Paris

Ilse Bing · 1931 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2001.147.6

This image shows an urban street scene with a tall skyscraper. There is a sign for a "Coffee and Sandwich Shop" in the foreground. The skyscraper is on the right, featuring stacked arches on its facade. The street on the left has traditional lower-rise buildings casting shadows. An old-fashioned clock on a building shows the time at 10:12. The image is in black and white, highlighting the architectural details and ambient light of the midday city scene.
Ilse Bing, Chrysler Building, New York, 1936, gelatin silver print, Gift of Ilse Bing Wolff, 2001.147.49

Chrysler Building, New York

Ilse Bing · 1936 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2001.147.49

The image depicts a woman in profile view from the waist up. She is upright, facing to the right of the frame, wearing glasses, with her hair styled and pulled back. She is dressed in dark-colored clothing with a textured jacket over a top and a faintly visible necklace. She is holding what seems to be a pair of gloves in her right hand. The setting is indoors with shelves holding glass jars and square containers in the background. A large, round object with a partially visible number is in the foreground on the left side of the image.
Ilse Bing, Street Fair, Paris, 1933, gelatin silver print, Gift of Ilse Bing Wolff, 2001.147.26

Street Fair, Paris

Ilse Bing · 1933 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2001.147.26

The image shows an abstract composition of parallel diagonal lines created by light filtering through window blinds, casting shadows on a wall. The lines resemble the slats of a venetian blind, creating rhythmic patterns. The blinds are visible on the right, with cords hanging down. An intricately carved molding is also visible, suggesting classic architecture. The interplay of light and shadow evokes structured abstraction seen in modernist architectural photography.
Ilse Bing, Portrait of a Shade, 1953, gelatin silver print, Gift of Ilse Bing Wolff, 2001.147.76

Portrait of a Shade

Ilse Bing · 1953 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2001.147.76

This is a photograph of a circus performance featuring a balancing act. Two performers are engaged in an acrobatic display: one is positioned upside down at the top of a vertical pole while the other supports them from below, holding onto the pole. The scene is set inside a large arena packed with onlookers seated in rows. The photograph captures the performance under a dramatic spotlight, emphasizing the height of the pole and focusing attention on the skill involved in the act. The background reveals an audience with indistinct faces, while the foreground is dominated by the performers and the neatly arranged performance space, which includes apparatuses and a safety mat or platform on the ground. The image has a vintage quality, marked by its monochrome color scheme, typical of early 20th-century photography.
Ilse Bing, Circus Balancing Act, New York, 1936, gelatin silver print, Gift of Ilse Bing Wolff, 2001.147.46

Circus Balancing Act, New York

Ilse Bing · 1936 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2001.147.46

The image shows a man in a three-quarters profile, displaying part of his torso. He stands with a slightly tilted head and a wide smile on his face. The man wears a traditional fez and is draped in a white garment over his shoulders. He is holding a black object. The surroundings suggest a lively environment, possibly a market or stall, with shelves lined with various goods and items hanging around. The background is decorated with patterned fabrics or tapestries on the ceiling, illuminated by light bulbs.
Ilse Bing, Street Fair, Paris, 1933, gelatin silver print, Gift of Ilse Bing Wolff, 2001.147.28

Street Fair, Paris

Ilse Bing · 1933 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2001.147.28

The image shows a young girl standing confidently. She is tilting her head and has one hand on her hip while the other holds a hat on her head. She has curly hair styled in a short manner and is wearing a patterned dress with a fitted bodice and a flared skirt, accessorized with a flower detail on the shoulder. White knee-high socks and low-heeled shoes complete her attire. The background is filled with various ceramic items, stacks of crockery, and vases and pots on shelves, along with visible packaging.
Ilse Bing, Street Fair, Paris, 1933, gelatin silver print, Gift of Ilse Bing Wolff, 2001.147.29

Street Fair, Paris

Ilse Bing · 1933 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2001.147.29

The image shows a woman from the waist up, seated and slightly angled to the left, looking toward the window. She has dark hair styled in a loose bun and wears a light-colored dress with a patterned design on the shoulder and sleeves. A belt cinches the dress at the waist, and she wears a bracelet on her left wrist. She holds a box camera in her right hand, resting it on a table. The background includes a well-lit room with floral wallpaper, framed pictures on the walls, a wooden cabinet, and a white wrought iron bed, suggesting a vintage decor theme.
Ilse Bing, Self-Portrait with Kodak, 1913, gelatin silver print, Gift of Ilse Bing Wolff, 2001.147.2

Self-Portrait with Kodak

Ilse Bing · 1913 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2001.147.2

This is a photograph of an urban alleyway with high-rise buildings on either side. The alley features brick apartment buildings with rows of fire escapes. Clothes are hanging out to dry across the alley. The sun casts shadows and highlights on the brick walls and pavement, emphasizing the texture. The light and shadow play creates a dynamic composition.
Ilse Bing, My Courtyard, New York, 1952, gelatin silver print, Gift of Ilse Bing Wolff, 2001.147.72

My Courtyard, New York

Ilse Bing · 1952 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2001.147.72