Under Construction: A Catalogue Raisonné Of El Lissitzky's “The Constructor (Self-Portrait)”

Abstract

<p> This thesis is a catalogue raisonné of El Lissitzky’s The Constructor (Self-Portrait). El Lissitzky’s The Constructor (Self-Portrait) is an iconic photograph of the Russian avant-garde. While historians have recognized the photograph has variants, none have attempted to compile a comprehensive inventory. Based on publications, museum catalogue records, auction catalogue records, email correspondence, and for 2 prints, in-person analysis, this thesis catalogues the 3 negatives, 53 prints, 9 reproductions, and 15 documents that relate to the photograph. Chapter 1 describes a precursory Self-Portrait. Chapter 2 describes elements used in The Constructor (Self-Portrait) and is broken down into 4 sections: selfportrait, hand with compass, self-portrait with hand and compass, and letterhead. Chapter 3 describes The Constructor (Self-Portrait) and breaks its variants down into 8 distinct batches. </p>