nadja auermann by ellen von unwerth (nsfw)
Photographer and director Ellen von Unwerth captures sensuality in the subjects she shoots. Citing Helmut Newton as an influence, von Unwerth imprints her habitual aesthetic of feminine erotica into her images. With her work featured in publications like Vogue, Vanity Fair, Interview, and i-D, she is a well-known figure in the industry. In addition to her skill for stills, von Unwerth is known for directing short fashion-oriented films and music videos. From moving pictures to solitary ones, her deliberate employment of black and white adds romance and nostalgia to her subject matter.
Though I wouldn’t necessarily call this photo shoot inappropriately erotic, it definitely feels evocative of early nude photography. I love the grainy quality of the photos paired with Nadja Auermann’s pale skin, heavy makeup, and sleek, slicked-back hair. Von Unwerth’s work definitely fosters my interest in the body as an art form, and encourages me to purchase Helmut Newton: Sumo, Ellen von Unwerth: Fraulein, and Taschen’s 1000 Nudes.
