Karen Knorr Photography
German, b. 1954
Karen Knorr was born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, raised in San Juan Puerto Rico, and educated in Paris and London. She has lived in England since the 1970s creating a large body of work that has developed a critical and playful dialogue with photography. Her themes range from investigating the patriarchal values of the English upper classes to addressing the role of animals and their representation in art. Using photography to explore cultural traditions, from the gentlemen's clubs of Saint James to the luxuriant interiors of Indian palaces, Knorr's work reaches out to engage conceptual art, visual culture, and feminism.
From the 1980's onwards, Knorr's work has been increasingly engaged with examining issues of power that underlie cultural heritage. This is the principal theme of her work but one that lies subtly under the visual richness and inventiveness of her images. Knorr's photographs satisfy many of the requisites of traditional photography which address the surface appearance of a species or place, but then move to a paradoxical space where they begin to question the overt assumptions of the picture's content.
In "India Song", her most recent work, Knorr's photographs engage two formal constants - first the insertion by digital means of the animal subject(s) within the consistently frontal interior photograph and secondly the pose or action expressed. Each finished photograph is both a mystery and a fable – referencing both the vast tradition of picturing animals in art along with the western appreciation/appropriation of eastern culture and form.
Like the pioneering early photographers who found in India a wealth of exotic subject matter, Knorr celebrates the visual richness found in the myths and stories of northern India using sacred and secular sites to highlight caste, femininity and its relationship with the animal world. She considers men's space (mardana) and women's space (zanana) in Mughal and Rajput architecture be it in palaces, mansions, or mausoleums. These interiors are meticulously photographed with a large format analogue camera. Knorr's own photographs of live animals are then inserted into the diverse rooms and sites, fusing high resolution digital with analogue photography. The results create original and stunning images that reinvent the Panchatantra (an ancient Indian collection of animal fables) for the 21st century and further blur the boundaries between reality and illusion.
Although widely exhibited in Europe and India , "India Song" will be Karen Knorr's first solo show in the United States. This past October, the work was nominated for the 2012 Deutsche Börse Photography Prize - Europe's most prestigious award "for a living photographer who has made the most significant contribution to the medium of photography over the past year".to
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Artist: Karen Knorr
Krishna's Rasa Leela, Chitrasala, Bundi, 2017
By Karen Knorr
Located in New York, NY
Listing includes framing with UV Plexi, free shipping to the continental US, and a 14-day return policy. This is also available for local pick up at our New York City location.
Kr...
Category
2010s Karen Knorr Photography
Materials
Pigment, Archival Pigment, Digital Pigment, Photographic Paper, Color
Faithful Companion, Samode Palace, 2020
By Karen Knorr
Located in New York, NY
Listing includes framing with UV plexi ($1,700 value), free shipping to the continental USA, and a 14-day return policy. Also available for local pick up from our New York gallery.
A Faithful...
Category
2010s Karen Knorr Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment
A Moment of Solitude, Amer Fort, Amer
By Karen Knorr
Located in New York, NY
Listing includes framing with UV plexi ($1,000 value), free shipping for the continental US and EU/UK, and a 14 day return policy. Also available for local pick up at our New York City gallery.
A Moment of Solitude... (2019) by Karen Knorr
Archival pigment print
Image Size: 24 x 30 inches
Framed Size: 27 x 33 x 2 inches
Edition 1 of 5
Signed on artist certificate and adhesive label
Karen Knorr Artist Biography -
While Knorr’s images take some of their inspiration from the Indian tradition of personifying animals in literature and art, there is another almost subconscious strain to her work. Going back to the time of cave painting we see that these early visual artists not only recorded their lives and surroundings, but used art to express themselves. The depiction of animals in symbolic and powerful ways and the urge to create these images with the best tools at hand is a line stretching from these unnamed cave painters to Karen Knorr.
Playfully combining technologies and genres, Knorr mixes digital...
Category
2010s Karen Knorr Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color, Archival Pigment
Interloper, Sheesh Mahal, Udaipur City Palace, 2019
By Karen Knorr
Located in New York, NY
Listing includes framing with UV Plexi ($1,700 value), free shipping to the continental US and a 14-day return policy.
Interloper (2019) by Karen Knorr.
31.5 x 39.5 inches, 34 x 4...
Category
2010s Karen Knorr Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Photographic Paper, Color
Heaven's Vault, Villa Farnese, Caprarola
By Karen Knorr
Located in New York, NY
Listing includes framing with optium non-glare Plexi, free shipping, and a 14 day return policy. Also available for local pick up in New York City.
Heaven's Vault, Villa Farnese, Caprarola (2014) by Karen Knorr
24 x 30 inches (27 x 33 inches framed)
Archival pigment print
Edition 1 of 5
Signed on artist certificate and acquired directly from the artist.
Artist Biography -
While Knorr’s images take some of their inspiration from the Indian tradition of personifying animals in literature and art, there is another almost subconscious strain to her work. Going back to the time of cave painting we see that these early visual artists not only recorded their lives and surroundings, but used art to express themselves. The depiction of animals in symbolic and powerful ways and the urge to create these images with the best tools at hand is a line stretching from these unnamed cave painters to Karen Knorr.
Playfully combining technologies and genres, Knorr mixes digital...
Category
2010s Karen Knorr Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment
The Opium Smoker, Chitrasala, Bundi
By Karen Knorr
Located in New York, NY
Listing includes framing with UV Plexiglas, free shipping, and a 14 day return policy. Also available for local pick up in New York City.
The Opium Smoker...
Category
2010s Karen Knorr Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment
Friends in Need, Juna Mahal, Dungarpur Palace, 2020
By Karen Knorr
Located in New York, NY
Listing includes framing with non-glare UV plexiglas and a 14 day return policy. Also available for local pick up at our Los Angeles gallery. Shipping services available worldwide at a discounted rate.
Friends in Need, Juna Mahal, Dungarpur Palace, 2020
48 x 60 inches (52 x 64 x 2.5 inches framed)
Archival pigment print
Edition 4 of 5 (last edition available)
Signed on separate artist certificate
Artist Biography -
While Knorr’s images take some of their inspiration from the Indian tradition of personifying animals in literature and art, there is another almost subconscious strain to her work. Going back to the time of cave painting we see that these early visual artists not only recorded their lives and surroundings, but used art to express themselves. The depiction of animals in symbolic and powerful ways and the urge to create these images with the best tools at hand is a line stretching from these unnamed cave painters to Karen Knorr.
Playfully combining technologies and genres, Knorr mixes digital...
Category
2010s Karen Knorr Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment
The Return of the Hunter, Chandra Mahal, Jaipur, 2012
By Karen Knorr
Located in New York, NY
Listing includes framing with UV Plexi ($1,250 value), free shipping to the continental US and a 14-day return policy. Offering local pick up from our Los Angeles location.
This is one of the last remaining editions from one of the most popular images from Karen Knorr's acclaimed "India Song" series.
The Return of the Hunter, Chandra Mahal, Jaipur, 2010
31.5 x 39.5 inches, 34 x 42 x 2 inches framed
Archival pigment print
Edition 1 of 5
Karen Knorr Artist Biography -
While Knorr’s images take some of their inspiration from the Indian tradition of personifying animals in literature and art, there is another almost subconscious strain to her work. Going back to the time of cave painting we see that these early visual artists not only recorded their lives and surroundings, but used art to express themselves. The depiction of animals in symbolic and powerful ways and the urge to create these images with the best tools at hand is a line stretching from these unnamed cave painters to Karen Knorr.
Playfully combining technologies and genres, Knorr mixes digital...
Category
2010s Karen Knorr Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color, Archival Pigment
Becoming Arihanta, Sahastrabahu Temple, Gwailor
By Karen Knorr
Located in New York, NY
Listing includes framing with UV Plexi, free shipping, and a 14 day return policy.
Becoming Arihanta, Sahastrabahu Temple, Gwailor (2012) by Karen Knorr
24 x 30 inches (27 x 33 inches framed)
Archival pigment print
Edition 3 of 5 - Last edition available at this price
Signed on artist certificate and acquired directly from the artist.
Karen Knorr Artist Biography
While Knorr’s images take some of their inspiration from the Indian tradition of personifying animals in literature and art, there is another almost subconscious strain to her work. Going back to the time of cave painting we see that these early visual artists not only recorded their lives and surroundings, but used art to express themselves. The depiction of animals in symbolic and powerful ways and the urge to create these images with the best tools at hand is a line stretching from these unnamed cave painters to Karen Knorr.
Playfully combining technologies and genres, Knorr mixes digital...
Category
2010s Karen Knorr Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment
The Way of Ishq, Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, 2019
By Karen Knorr
Located in New York, NY
This listing includes framing ($1,750 value) and a 14-day return policy. Shipping will be charged at cost with a white glove delivery service. Also available for local pick up at our New York City gallery.
The Way of Ishq (2019) by Karen Knorr.
Archival pigment print
Image size: 48 x 60 inches
Frame Size: 52 x 64 inches framed
Edition 2 of 5
Signed, with certificate of authenticity
Artist Biography -
While Knorr’s images take some of their inspiration from the Indian tradition of personifying animals in literature and art, there is another almost subconscious strain to her work. Going back to the time of cave painting we see that these early visual artists not only recorded their lives and surroundings, but used art to express themselves. The depiction of animals in symbolic and powerful ways and the urge to create these images with the best tools at hand is a line stretching from these unnamed cave painters to Karen Knorr.
Playfully combining technologies and genres, Knorr mixes digital...
Category
2010s Karen Knorr Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment, Photographic Paper, Color, Digital, Pigment, Digital P...
Search for Sattva, Ahhichatragarh Fort, Nagaur
By Karen Knorr
Located in New York, NY
Listing includes framing with UV Plexi, Free shipping, and a 14 day return policy. Also available for local pick up in New York City.
The Search for Sattva, Ahhichatragarh Fort (2014) by Karen Knorr
24 x 30 inches (27 x 33 inches framed)
Archival pigment print
Edition 2 of 5
Signed on artist certificate and acquired directly from the artist.
Karen Knorr Artist Biography
While Knorr’s images take some of their inspiration from the Indian tradition of personifying animals in literature and art, there is another almost subconscious strain to her work. Going back to the time of cave painting we see that these early visual artists not only recorded their lives and surroundings, but used art to express themselves. The depiction of animals in symbolic and powerful ways and the urge to create these images with the best tools at hand is a line stretching from these unnamed cave painters to Karen Knorr.
Playfully combining technologies and genres, Knorr mixes digital...
Category
2010s Karen Knorr Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color, Pigment, Archival Pigment
Immaculate Conception, Villa De’este, 2015
By Karen Knorr
Located in New York, NY
Listing includes free shipping, and a 14 day return policy. The artwork will ship from London.
Immaculate Conception, Villa De'este (2015)
24 ...
Category
2010s Karen Knorr Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color
Tiger Breath, Seesh Mahal, Amer Fort, 2020
By Karen Knorr
Located in New York, NY
Listing includes framing with UV plexi ($1,000 value), free shipping for the continental US and a 14 day return policy. Also available for local pick up at our New York City galler...
Category
2010s Karen Knorr Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color, Archival Pigment
The Winds of Change, Villa Farnese, Caprarola, 2014
By Karen Knorr
Located in New York, NY
Listing includes free shipping, and a 14-day return policy.
24 x 30 inch archival pigment print
Edition 4 of 5
Signed on artist certificate
Also available in 3 other sizes.
Arti...
Category
2010s Karen Knorr Photography
Materials
Photographic Paper, Color
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Previously Available Items
Flight to Freedom, Durbar Hall, Dungarpur, 2010
By Karen Knorr
Located in New York, NY
Listing includes framing with UV Plexi ($1,250 value), free shipping to the continental US and a 14-day return policy. Offering local pick up from our Los Angeles location.
This is one of the last remaining editions from the most popular image from Karen Knorr's acclaimed "India Song" series.
Flight to Freedom, Durbar Hall, Dungarpur, 2010
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Listing includes framing with UV Plexi and a 14 day return policy. Available for local pick up at our Los Angeles gallery. Please inquire for domestic and international shipping options.
Arjuna's Path, Junha Mahal, Dungarpur (2014) by Karen Knorr
48 x 60 inches (52 x 64 inches framed)
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Edition 2 of 5 - Last edition available at this price
Signed on artist certificate and acquired directly from the artist.
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While Knorr’s images take some of their inspiration from the Indian tradition of personifying animals in literature and art, there is another almost subconscious strain to her work. Going back to the time of cave painting we see that these early visual artists not only recorded their lives and surroundings, but used art to express themselves. The depiction of animals in symbolic and powerful ways and the urge to create these images with the best tools at hand is a line stretching from these unnamed cave painters to Karen Knorr.
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Love at First Sight, Palazinna Cinese, 2017
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Karen Knorr photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Karen Knorr photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Karen Knorr in paper, photographic paper, archival pigment print and more. Not every interior allows for large Karen Knorr photography, so small editions measuring 30 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Tom Schierlitz, Claudia Fauth, and Erwin Blumenfeld. Karen Knorr photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $16,500 and tops out at $30,000, while the average work can sell for $16,500.