Ylla: The Birth of Modern Animal Photography

By Pryor Dodge

The life of Ylla, one of the first animal photographers.

Ylla (1911-55) devoted herself exclusively to animal portraiture at a time when no one had thought of only photographing animals. Driven by her symbiotic relationship with animals, she created a new genre in animal photography: the expression and personality in animals. Ylla: The Birth of Modern Animal Photography recounts the eventful odyssey of a "New Woman" par excellence, fearless and knowing no limits. She was part of artists' circles in Belgrade and Paris, however during WWII she fled to New York via Marseille where she started her career again from square one. Originally taking beguiling photos in her studio and zoos, Ylla finally traveled to Africa and India where she died in a tragic accident during a water buffalo race. Her Animals in Africa and Animals in India are some of the first books on the subject. Ylla also introduced photography to children's literature. Her books The Sleepy Little Lion and Two Little Bears are juvenile classics. This book details her remarkable life and work.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3777442623
• ISBN13: 9783777442624
• Release Date: August 2024
• Publisher: Hirmer Verlag GmbH
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 3.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 9.7" x 11.2"

Customer Reviews

Beautiful volume about Ylla’s exceptional life and career

Her portraits are truly breathtaking and original, and the story of her dynamic life, compelling. Her fascinating journey, from being practically homeless in Central Europe to world fame for her beguiling animal photography, is a life lesson for young women in search of a role model. Enjoy the photos, but make sure to read the story.