Madame D’Ora

Madame D’Ora by Monika Faber, Esther Ruelfs, Lisa Silverman, and Magdelena Vukovic offers an extraordinary journey into the world of legendary fashion and portrait photographer Dora Kallmus (1881-1963). Known professionally as Madame d’Ora, this Austrian photographer became the most acclaimed portraitist of fin de siècle Vienna before transforming Parisian high society photography in the 1920s. This comprehensive exhibition catalog showcases her remarkable ability to document both the glamour and tragedy of 20th-century Europe through her lens. From her stylish Art Deco portrait studio in Paris, Madame d’Ora captured iconic figures including Pablo Picasso, Josephine Baker, and Collette, establishing herself as a pioneering woman photographer in a male-dominated field. Published by Prestel Verlag, this beautifully curated volume explores fashion photography, portrait photography, and celebrity culture through the work of one of history’s most influential women photographers. The book provides unprecedented insight into the artistic vision that defined an era and influenced generations of photographers. Discover how Madame d’Ora’s revolutionary approach to fashion and society photography created timeless images that continue to inspire today.