The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of July 1, 2022

Self-Portrait with Mirrors

1931 (printed 1980s)

Ilse Bing

(American, 1899-1998)

America, 20th century

Gelatin silver print

Image: 26.7 x 30.5 cm (10 1/2 x 12 in.)

The A. W. Ellenberger, Sr., Endowment Fund 2019.177

© Estate of Ilse Bing

Location

not on view

Fun Fact

This playful yet profound self-portrait is the artist’s signature image.

Description

Ilse Bing’s penetrating gaze is directed both at her self-image and at the viewer. The artist set up two mirrors that simultaneously provide profile and frontal views of her face. Neither is a photograph of the artist, merely of her reflection. Photography, this riveting image suggests, is a medium of illusion as well as reportage.

Ilse Bing

American and German photographer, born 1899 or 1900, died 1998
Provenance
Estate of the Artist
Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg, Scarsdale, NY
September 3, 2019
the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Citations
"In perspective: art-world news and market updates, exhibitions and events: Leica queen." Art & antiques 43, no. 3 (March 2020): p.24-35. Reproduced: p. 30; Mention: p. 30
Exhibition history

Ilse Bing: Queen of the Leica. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 7-October 11, 2020).

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2019.177