Irving Penn said: "A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart, and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it; it is in one word, effective.“
While Jan C. Schlegel’s series, entitled Of Poems and Marvels, is affiliated to classic studio photography tradition, a unique feeling of enchantment pervades. Poison Hemlock, basic furniture, introspective poses, these simple elements arranged together according to the artist’s vision, create magnificent and timeless icons.
While technique is a major aspect of Schlegel’s work, he makes point not to make his prints too perfect. All of them are analog and developed in the darkroom, which implies both beauty and limitations. “Imperfection is natural and in nature nothing is perfect. Skin has flaws, faces are irregular, every leaf has a different shape and has holes or cracks. Imperfection makes things perfect!” (Jan C. Schlegel).
