Ehlers Caudill Gallery, Chicago Private Collection, Chicago
Catalogue Essay
This compelling portrait of Greta Stern was taken by her business partner Ellen Auerbach and signed by both with their 'ringl + pit' studio stamp. These two remarkable women broke away from their Jewish middle-class German upbringing to study photography and open a photography studio in Berlin in 1929. Recognized for their contribution in advertising for expanding the image of womanhood to include the “new woman”, who just like them was independent enough to develope her own self-image. The film ringle + pit: Remembering Greta Stern and Ellen Auerbach, 2006 was made documenting their artistic partnership, escape from Germany in 1933 and their life-long friendship.
1934 Gelatin silver print. 8 3/8 x 5 1/4 in. (21.3 x 13.3 cm) Signed, variously annotated in unidentified hands, all in pencil and 'Fotografie ringl + pit' stamp on the verso.