Metamorphosis Through Light
1936
At the beginning of 1936, Helmar Lerski started a new portraiture series. His model was a Jewish worker, who Lerski called 'Uschatz'. In the next three months he produced 175 images of the man remembered as a jack of all trades in Lerski's office.

Lerski had conceived his metamorphosis project as early as 1930. When asked about further plans, he responded to the film critic, Hans Feld, that he later wanted to "create a book of portraits of somebody. Fifty images of one and the same person".

Working on the rooftop terrace of Lerski's flat in Tel Aviv in the bright, morning sun, Lerski continually directed the light towards his model's face, using a great number of mirrors. Designated by Lerski as his magnum opus, 'Metamorphosis through Light' was to "furnish proof, that a photographer can create freely, following his mind's eye, like a painter, or sculpture."
At the beginning of 1936, Helmar Lerski started a new portraiture series. His model was a Jewish worker, who Lerski called 'Uschatz'. In the next three months he produced 175 images of the man remembered as a jack of all trades in Lerski's office.

Lerski had conceived his metamorphosis project as early as 1930. When asked about further plans, he responded to the film critic, Hans Feld, that he later wanted to "create a book of portraits of somebody. Fifty images of one and the same person".

Working on the rooftop terrace of Lerski's flat in Tel Aviv in the bright, morning sun, Lerski continually directed the light towards his model's face, using a great number of mirrors. Designated by Lerski as his magnum opus, 'Metamorphosis through Light' was to "furnish proof, that a photographer can create freely, following his mind's eye, like a painter, or sculpture."
From the Factory, 1936
Vintage gelatin silver print, 29.2 x 22.9 cm | Titled on verso
From the Factory, 1936
Vintage gelatin silver print, 28.9 x 22.9 cm | Titled and annotated on verso
Metamorphosis Through Light Series, 1936
Vintage gelatin silver print, 28.9 x 23.2 cm | Titled, stamped and annotated on verso
Metamorphosis Through Light Series, 1936
Vintage gelatin silver print, 28.9 x 22.2 cm | Titled and annotated on verso
Metamorphosis Through Light Series, 1936
Vintage gelatin silver print, 29.8 x 23.8 cm | Titled on verso
Metamorphosis Through Light Series, 1937
Vintage gelatin silver print, 28.9 x 23 cm | Signed on recto and titled, stamped and annotated on verso
Metamorphosis Through Light Series, 1937
Vintage gelatin silver print, 28.9 x 22.7 cm | Titled and annotated on verso
Metamorphosis Through Light Series, 1937
Vintage gelatin silver print, 29 x 23.5 cm | Titled, stamped and annotated on verso
Metamorphosis Through Light Series, 1937
Vintage gelatin silver print, 29.2 x 23 cm | Titled, stamped and annotated on verso
Metamorphosis Through Light Series, 1937
Vintage gelatin silver print, 29 x 23.1 cm | Titled and annotated on verso
Metamorphosis Through Light Series, 1937
Vintage gelatin silver print, 29 x 23 cm | Titled and annotated on verso
Eye Opened from Metamorphosis Through Light Series, ca. 1936
Vintage gelatin silver print, 29.5 x 23.9 cm | Titled and annotated on verso
Eye Closed from Metamorphosis Through Light Series, ca. 1936
Vintage gelatin silver print, 30 x 23.8 cm | Titled and stamped on verso
Eye Half Closed from Metamorphosis Through Light Series, ca. 1936
Vintage gelatin silver print, 29.9 x 24 cm | Titled, stamped and annotated on verso