Dora Kallmus: From the Viennese studio to Parisian glamor – a work of the century!
Discover the legacy of the photographer Dora Kallmus, known as Madame d’Ora, who had a defining influence on the cultural history of the 20th century with her portraits of artists and aristocrats.

Dora Kallmus: From the Viennese studio to Parisian glamor – a work of the century!
Dora Kallmus, better known as Madame d’Ora, is an outstanding figure in early 20th century photography whose work has received international recognition. From 1907 she ran a studio in Vienna, which quickly became a meeting place for personalities from art, aristocracy and society. Her photographs, which radiate elegance and individuality, reflect the zeitgeist and show her extraordinary talent APA OTS reported. From prominent artists like Arthur Schnitzler and Hermann Bahr to famous dancers like Anna Pawlowa – Madame d’Ora’s portraits are legendary. Her works not only illustrate the fashion consciousness of the time, but also capture the splendor of the Hungarian high aristocracy in a unique way.
After moving to Paris in 1925, she continued to expand her style, creating stunning fashion photographs that documented stars such as Josephine Baker. In the exhibition “Dora: Vienna & Paris: 1907 – 1957”, which took place in the Vassar College Art Gallery in 1987, her most important works were shown, many of which reflect not only the glamor world, but also melancholic aspects and the horrors of the Second World War, as in the Notes from Modernism101 described. This exhibition not only offered an insight into her artistic work, but also into the life of a photographer who built a bridge between Vienna and Paris and thus paved the way for subsequent generations of women in photography.
Unique perspectives and heritage
Dora Kallmus' works are not just photographs; they are windows into a bygone era that document the cultural life of the early 20th century. The quality of her work and the important personalities she portrayed offer a unique insight into the social life of this time. Her influence and ability to convey emotion and style through the lens make her an indispensable figure in the history of photography.