OstLicht Prisma – The New Monthly Newsletter. Just as a prism refracts light into its colors, we illuminate photography in all its facets – from historical developments and artistic movements to contemporary trends.
Artist portraits
A photographic portrait of an artist is more than a likeness: it is an approach, a dialogue, a moment of revelation. The latest edition of OstLicht Prisma is devoted to those who have shaped the creative image of their era – from Matisse to VALIE EXPORT, from Warhol to Zaha Hadid.
Our curated presentation gathers iconic artist personalities seen through the lens of photography. Henri Cartier-Bresson meets Henri Matisse in his sunlit Paris studio in 1944; Robert Descharnes stages Salvador Dalí in theatrical fashion, while Eve Arnold’s portrayal of Andy Warhol in the »Silver Factory« emanates quiet observation.
A particularly layered contribution comes from Austrian photographer Cora Pongracz, whose 1970s portraits of the local avant-garde include VALIE EXPORT, Franz West, Hermann Nitsch, Arnulf Rainer, Gertie Fröhlich, and Martha Jungwirth – caught in moments of staging and introspection alike.
Further highlights include Barbara Pflaum’s image of Arik Brauer in his Vienna studio and Christian Skrein’s shot of Joseph Beuys. Later works by Inge Morath show Louise Bourgeois and Rebecca Miller, while Mario Giacomelli’s series »Il pittore Bastari« explores the interplay between artist and medium. With portraits of Zaha Hadid, Elliott Erwitt, and other prominent figures in architecture and photography, this edition comes full circle: the artist’s portrait becomes an encounter on equal footing – and a lasting image of their creative world.
