In her reflection on her artistic journey, Ruth Bernhard expresses a profound connection between her natural inclination towards sculpting and her body of photographic work featuring nude subjects. She suggests that the way she captures the human form through photography can be viewed as an extension or interpretation of sculpture.
Bernhard's statement reveals much about the interconnectedness of different art forms and how they can inform each other. By describing her photographs of nudes as a manifestation of her sculptural instincts, she underscores the tactile quality often associated with sculptures—that is, the sense of form, volume, and texture that goes beyond simple visual representation. This perspective allows us to see photography not just as a medium for capturing images but as a powerful tool for exploring physicality and spatial relationships in ways similar to sculpture.
Ruth Bernhard was an American photographer known for her striking black-and-white photographs, particularly of the nude figure and still lifes. Born in Germany in 1905 and later moving to San Francisco, she became one of the most influential photographers of her time, known for her technical mastery and artistic vision that celebrated form and light. Her work often emphasized the sculptural qualities inherent in the human body, reflecting a deep appreciation for the interplay between light, shadow, and shape.
