Inge Morath “Fotografare da Venezia in poi” at Museo di Palazzo Grimani, Venice
18 January 2023 - 4 June 2023
The exhibition Inge Morath “Fotografare da Venezia in poi” at the Museo di Palazzo Grimani is a celebration of the centenary of Inge Morath's birth (1923-2002), the first female photographer to join Magnum Photos. Curated by Kurt Kaindle and Brigitte Blüml, with Valeria Finocchi, the show presents Morath's unseen Venice.
The exhibition spans across the first and second floors of Palazzo Grimani, showcasing Morath's famous reportage in the Venetian Lagoon, captured in 1955 when she was on assignment for Magnum Photos, covering a report by the legendary writer Mary McCarthy for the art magazine L’Oeil. Although Morath had been to Venice before during her honeymoon, it was during this November assignment that she fell in love with the city's magical light, prompting her to pick up a camera and start photographing.
The overall exhibition comprises over 200 photographs with a particular and unpublished focus on Venice, complemented by new documentation. Approximately eighty of these Venetian shots have never been exhibited before in Italy. Additionally, the exhibition includes a selection of Morath's major photographic reportages from Spain, Iran, France, England-Ireland, the United States, China, and Russia. There is also a dedicated section to her portrait work, which became increasingly significant in the later part of her career.
Despite the impressive collection of works on display, one criticism of the exhibition is that it feels overhung. The sheer number of photographs presented in a limited space may have hindered the opportunity to fully appreciate each piece and its unique charm. It would have been nice to give the works more breathing room to allow viewers to engage with them individually, thereby enhancing the overall experience.
Overall, the exhibition is captivating as it delves into the unseen facets of the renowned photographer's work. The show successfully sheds light on Morath's unique perspective on Venice and her extraordinary body of work from around the world. It is a tribute to a pioneering female photographer whose legacy continues to inspire and influence photographers and art enthusiasts alike.
