In the early years of the 20th century, European and American
fine-art photographers embraced subjects, processes, and aesthetic approaches
imitative of drawing and painting as a means of distinguishing themselves from
run-of-the-mill commercial studios and the legions of Sunday snapshooters with
their newfangled Kodaks. Here, in softly rendered tones that might easily be mistaken
for a watercolor or wash drawing, Heinrich Kühn photographed a woman rising
from bed in morning light— an image evocative of past art from Rembrandt to
Degas.