Artist Index: Umbo

Dance images. 1936. 8 vintage ferrotyped gelatin silver prints. Each circa 12 x 8,7 cm. Each with PHOTO UMBO Berlin-Grunewald Niersteiner Str. 6 stamp and annotated in pencil on the verso.

Otto Umbehr, known as UMBO, played a significant role in avant-garde and modernist photography during the early 20th century. His exceptional photographs of dancers exemplify his innovative approach to this art form, portraying the grace, energy, and fluidity of dance in a manner that surpasses conventional representations. UMBO's images of dancers are characterized by dynamic compositions and a compelling use of light and shadow, imparting a palpable sense of motion and vitality to each frame. One of these photos features the dancer Gret Palucca. – Traces of previous mounting on the verso, several light handling marks, some silver mirroring in dark areas, otherwise in good condition.

"New York, Third Avenue". 1952/printed later. Gelatin silver print. 29 x 18 cm (40,2 x 30,2 cm). Estate label, signed by Phyllis Umbehr and editioned 3/50 on the verso, matted.

Retouched spots in upper left, otherwise in very good condition.

Lit.: Herbert Molderings. Umbo - Otto Umbehr 1902-1980. Düsseldorf 1995, ill. p. 127.

Selected images. 1946-47/printed 1989. 6 ferrotyped gelatin silver prints on Agfa paper. Each circa 23 x 16 cm (30 x 24 cm). Signed in pencil by Phyllis Umbehr, estate and edition stamp, as well as annotated in pencil on the verso.

The images include: "Ankunft eines Flüchtlingstransports in Hannover, September 1946"; "Flüchtlinge, September 1946"; "Heimkehr, 1946"; "Heimkehr in Münsterlager, März 1947"; "Wir fordern Brot, Demonstration in Hannover, April 1947" and "Trümmer, Hannover, Januar 1947". – Corners minimally bumped, some irregularities to ferrotype surface, otherwise in very good condition.