Hannah Hoch was a German photographer born in 1889. She has been referred to as one of the ‘originators of photomontage’. Hoch’s work often appeared to support feminism and encouraged the liberation of women during the weimar republic.

She was the last member of the Berlin Dada group to remain in Germany during the third Reich. She bought and lived in a small garden house in Berlin-Heiligensee, a remote area on the outskirts of Berlin.

She married businessman, Kurt Matthies, in 1938 and divorced him in 1944. She suffered from the Nazi censorship of art with her work deemed as “degenerate art”, which made it even more difficult for her to show her works.

Visual

Black and white photos contrast with the colour background. Represents Hoch’s attitude towards the weimar republic at the time and the difference between the treatment of men and women. Most of the images are sharp and grainy adding to the overall effect of this image.

Technical

grainy / low light adds to the meaning of this photomontage. There is a low contrast on the B&W photos with low highlights. There is a hint of natural light with the orange/yellow tint on the colour photos.

Contexual

Höch was a feminist during the weimar republic so this photomontage has a lot to say about women’s right during a tough period in German history. It is also likely that it wasn’t seen until late after the war due to the nazi censorship that restricted her work.

Conceptual

This was only one of many montages Höch created that support women during a time where there appeared to be no hope for women’s rights and equality. Höch received criticism from the nazi party and many politicians during her time and was even banned from exhibiting during the Nazi reign.