Born 1881 in Vienna, Austrian fashion and portrait photographer Dora Kallmus became interested in the photography field while assisting the son of the painter Hans Makart, and in 1905, she was the first woman to be admitted to theory courses at the Graphische Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt (Graphic Training Institute). That same year she became a member of the Association of Austrian photographers. At that time she was also the first woman allowed to study theory at the Graphischen Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt, which in 1908 granted women access to other courses in photography.
Portrait photography in the early 20th century by by Dora Kallmus
In 1907, she established her own studio with Arthur Benda in Vienna called the Atelier d’Ora or Madame D’Ora-Benda. The name was based on the pseudonym “Madame d’Ora”, which she used professionally. D’ora and Benda operated a summer studio from 1921 to 1926 in Karlsbad, Germany, and opened another gallery in Paris in 1925.
Kallmus’ subjects included Josephine Baker, Coco Chanel, Tamara de Lempicka, Alban Berg, Maurice Chevalier, Colette, and other dancers, actors, painters, and writers.
Take a look at these vintage photos to see her amazing work from the early 20th century.
Gustav Klimt, 1907
Alban Berg, 1909
Emilie Flöge, 1909
Helene Jamrich with a hat from Zwieback, designed by Rudolf Krieser, 1909
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