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The Collection
George Krause (born 1937)
George Krause is one of the finest photographers ever produced by Philadelphia. Death Mask is from Krause’s Qui Riposa series which he began in 1959 and records cemetery monuments and tombstones. It is a remarkable, close-up look at a deeply sculpted marble tombstone portrait. The expressive visage has a striking three dimensionality, caused by the dramatic effect of racking light bathing the image. The face is propelled forward, and the carved concavity behind it is drenched in darkness and recedes deeply. The emotive success of the photo is a result of Krause’s technical virtuosity, something for which he is well known. Writer Judith Stein has observed that “Krause’s silver prints are unusual for the quantity and quality of handwork the artist requires to achieve his desired images. During the developing process, he paints each print with a variety of toners and uses bleaches and intensifiers to coax subtle contrasts and rich shades and tones to emerge.” Krause’s ability to turn the ordinary into something exceptional is his special gift.
Woodmere Art Museum - 9201 Germantown Avenue - Philadelphia, PA 19118 Corner of Germantown Avenue and Bells Mill Road in Chestnut Hill Telephone 215-247-0476 Fax 215-247-2387 Accredited by the American Associations of Museums
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