The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of April 19, 2024
Portrait of My Friend Funke
1924
(Czech, 1896–1976)
Image: 29.5 x 23.6 cm (11 5/8 x 9 5/16 in.); Paper: 30.1 x 24.6 cm (11 7/8 x 9 11/16 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 1999.188
Location: not on view
Description
Having a career that spanned almost sixty years, Sudek was Czechoslovakia's most distinguished photographer. Noted for his lyrical landscapes and still lifes, he also made penetrating portraits, such as this print of his oldest friend and fellow photographer, Jaromir Funke (1898-1945). Together, with several colleagues, they founded the progressive Czech Photographic Society in 1924. Sudek greatly admired Funke, noting that "he represented the avant-garde Czech photographers, and his superior intelligence aroused respect in artistic circles." Sudek posed his friend dressed in a thick wool overcoat, hands hidden in the pockets. The dark tones of the coat, blending into the shadowed background, highlight the young man's head seen in profile. The sharp, distinctive features, neatly combed-back hair, and round spectacles emphasize the intensity of the sitter's personality.- Artists Photographing Artists. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 13, 2001-February 27, 2002).The Cleveland Museum of Art; 10/13/01-2/27/02. "Artists Photographing Artists," no catalogue.
- {{cite web|title=Portrait of My Friend Funke|url=false|author=Josef Sudek|year=1924|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1999.188