Metal by Germaine Krull, Limited Edition, 536 of 1000

Metal by Germaine Krull

Limited Edition, 2003 – 536 of 1000

Fine Condition

This is a beautifully produced limited edition of Germaine Krull’s seminal photobook “Metal” published by Paris Librairie de Arts Decorativs in 2003 with a limitation of 1000 this being number 536. Originally published in 1928 by the same publisher, the book features a faithful reprint of the 64 loose plates that appeared in the original publication along with separate booklets of Florent Fels original introduction and a preface by Germaine Krull, The best critique of the book comes from Parr & Badger in their reference work, “The Photobook: A History”,..” "Her (Krull's) greatest success came with the publication of the sumptuous 'Métal'. Compared to the classical, somewhat static studies of Charles Sheeler or Albert Renger-Patzsch, Krull's views of industrial structures in Holland and Paris seem more fluid and poetic, much more 'modern', reproducing the jagged angles of New Vision photography and the fractured spaces of the Futurists. Krull's vision is also determinedly cinematic, for although the sheets are loosely laid in the portfolio, they are numbered, and the sequence is important. Krull worked closely with her husband, the Dutch avant-garde film-maker Joris Ivens, and Métal is closely related to his film 'De Brug' (The Bridge). However in her dramatic, vertiginous close-ups, angled vision and radical use of the frame edge. Krull goes further than Ivens in symbolising the forward-looking, progressive thrust of modern engineering. 'Métal' is several steps ahead of her nude portfolio, and sealed her reputation as a leading modernist. Along with Moi Ver's 'Paris', it is surely the finest example of a modernist photobook in the dynamic, cinematographic mode.

Measuring approximately 12” x 9.5”, the book is comprised of several parts. The portfolio covers are black cloth boards with a photographically illustrated cover that contains the 64 loose prints and the two booklets.  A black ribbon is used to secure the portfolio. The portfolio is housed in a black cloth slipcase. The portfolio, prints, booklets, and slip case are all in FINE condition. A total of 1000 copies were issued with this being number 536. This is a great opportunity to obtain a gorgeous production of a seminal photobook at a fraction of the cost of the original that normally fetches $40,000+.

Cited in all three reference works on photobooks: “The Book of 101 Books: Seminal Photographic Books of the Twentieth Century” and “The Open Book” by Andrew Roth and Parr and Badgers, “The Photobook: A History”.

Photographs of the portfolio cover, the prints, the booklets, and an example of a print contained in the portfolio appear below. Please note that although the photographs appear digitized as thumbnails, they are viewable in the photo viewer by running your mouse over the thumbnail. You can also click on the thumbnail to open a separate window where the pictures are viewable as a slideshow.