Tree

1955
(American, 1899–1998)
Image: 43 x 40.4 cm (16 15/16 x 15 7/8 in.); Paper: 50.4 x 40.4 cm (19 13/16 x 15 7/8 in.)
© Estate of Ilse Bing
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location: not on view

Download, Print and Share

Description

It is tempting to interpret this desiccated tree as foretelling Ilse Bing’s decision to give up photography in 1959 at age 60. “I had nothing more to say. . . . I did not want to repeat myself.” For three years she made films, but the medium was too costly. In 1962 she channeled her artistic energies into drawing, collage, and writing poetry. To earn a living, Bing became a dog groomer. After her art was rediscovered in the mid-1970s, she was able to enjoy two decades back in the art world spotlight. Bing died in New York City two weeks before a retrospective exhibition that was to open on her 99th birthday.
Tree

Tree

1955

Ilse Bing

(American, 1899–1998)
America, 20th century

Videos

Ilse Bing: Queen of the Leica

Visually Similar Artworks

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.