Der Act, Part 1 - "New" items

In 1894 Max Koch and Otto Rieth photographed and published a large format portfolio photo book called Der Act, a German term for nude works sometimes spelled Der Akt.  This will be a three parter, starting with some recent finds.  The above model appears several time today.

 

Ledge and disc

Although I can't figure out the significance of the decorated disc,

I like the pose and overall setting of the photo.

 

Mirrors

We get three views of the solo model in this mirror shot.

 

Heid model?

This model resembles one who worked for Herman Heid around the same time Der Act was made.  It would not be unheard of for a good model to work for two or more photographers.

 

Mirrors again

This is another example of the use of mirrors in Der Act.

In addition to the technique, I find the pose very attractive.

 

Italian?

The model in this one looks Italian, rather than German.

 

Der Act, Part 2 - Repeats

Part two consists of some repeats from the early days of this blog.  I've always loved

the way the models and the mirrors work to make a fine image in this photo.

 

Twofer

When I posted this one almost five years ago, I was impressed with the clarity and the way the two models are arranged in the two images.  What I still don't know is if these were published side by side or separately in the original edition of Der Act.  Trust me, I've looked and looked.

 

Two versions, one "new"

I'm including the image above in the repeat section for two reasons.  First, I think it's quite good, and second, Koch and Rieth did a similar clothed version which I recently found and is below.

 

Der Act, Part 3 - Recently Categorized

The last section of our Der Act three part set features some photos

 that I've had a long time, but didn't realize until recently 

were part of Der Act.  I may have posted a couple of these. 

This one shows some Teutonic angst.

 

 

Uncomfortable

I don't think I've posted this one, but it's been in my collection for several years.

I only recently found out that it's from Der Act.

 

Topsy Turvy II

Maybe Koch and Rieth were trying to depict a fall

 by posing the model on a upended chaise lounge.

 

Koch's partner in producing his best known work, the 1894 photo book Der Act,  was Otto Rieth, 

best known for his drawings and diagrams of architectural features and details.  Many observers 

credit Rieth for the use of such elements in Der Act.  The deployment of mirrors was prevalent

 in the series, too, but it's unclear whose idea that was.

 

Koch's best known work, Der Act, was produced and printed in Leipzig in 1894.

This model, however, looks Italian to me.  I wonder if he was brought in for the shoot?

Between his looks and the basket, I get a serious von Gloeden vibe.

 

In this example, Koch and Rieth use the mirrors, but not the architectural pediments.

 

Der Act, Part 2 - Semi-Nudes

The G-rated portion of our double feature shows Otto Rieth's architectural elements and some semi-nude male models without mirrors.  You'll see this model again later with some additional hardware.

This is my favorite photo of either our R- or G-rated series today.

For some reason, the model descending from the pediment appeals to me.

He's not built like a Greek god or in some sexy pose.  He's simply handsome.

It looks as if they had to add a somewhat out of place plank to Rieth's 

simple architectural frame for the model to be able to get into that pose.

It does, however, produce a good shot of the his back and calf muscles.

In an earlier post today we saw a different version 

of a model on a classical pediment.

When looking at the remaining drawings of Otto Rieth's architectural details, 

one often sees completely decorated versions of this circular decorative piece.