Metropolis | Object:Photo | MoMA

Paul Citroen joined the Bauhaus in 1922, and this photomontage was exhibited in the school’s first exhibition, in July–September, 1923. The original collage was constructed from two hundred images excised with a sharp blade from newspapers and postcards (of which Citroen was an avid collector) and meticulously pasted and arranged on a secondary support. There is not a single gap between the collage pieces. This image was published in 1925 in László Moholy-Nagy’s book Malerei, Fotografie, Film (Painting, Photography, Film), under the title Die Stadt I (The city I), along with two other photomontages. The Thomas Walther Collection print is considerably smaller than the original collage, which is 26 7/16 by 23 inches (67.1 by 58.4 centimeters). The work gives the strong impression of a microworld that can be held in your hand.