Take Off – Silver gelatin print by Hans Silvester, 60’s.

This photograph, taken in China during the early years of Hans Silvester’s career, belongs to the founding body of work presented in the Silver Silvester collection.

Why this photograph?

What a striking image this woman photographed with her birdcage in deep China of the 1960s!

Her gesture is both precise and delicate; the movement of her arms creates a diagonal line that energizes the composition. Her concentrated, almost meditative expression gives this everyday scene a symbolic dimension.The interplay of shadow and light enhances the feeling of suspended calm, as the bird regains its freedom. Typical of Hans Silvester’s gaze, this photograph speaks of transmission, ritual, and shared silence. Nothing is spectacular (except the photograph itself), yet everything is imbued with a discreet and profound humanity.

Printed from the artist’s preserved black-and-white negatives, the image was produced using traditional silver gelatin processes. The depth of the blacks, the fineness of the grain, and the balance of contrasts give it a strong material presence, faithful to the photographer’s original intent. This photograph bears witness to Hans Silvester’s attentive and rigorous eye, shaped by a humanist approach.

Each photograph is printed in a strictly limited edition of five copies. The works are stored and handled in accordance with photographic conservation standards, ensuring their long-term stability.

Photograph presented at the exhibition Silver Silvester, Galerie Retour de Voyage, April 2026.

Prints remain available for viewing by appointment after the exhibition. Contact Frédéric: +33 6 87 32 58 68.