De la Calle practiced photography mainly in his studio, and his work was characterized by constructing a portrait aesthetic that went beyond the mere representation of the subject. In this sense, he transcended the limitations of the photographic plane by conquering a third dimension with striking and varied backdrops, objects, and costumes, which allowed his diverse clientele to experience adventures and changes in image and personality amid fantastical settings. Despite these scenographic resources that recreate idyllic landscapes, romantic scenes, and heroic characters, Benjamín de la Calle also gave a realistic and even raw touch to his subjects, turning them into characters in narratives that ranged from fantastical to somber.
Benjamín de la Calle. Record of the Universe
Photographer Benjamín de la Calle Muñoz was born in Yarumal, Antioquia, in 1869. He learned the trade as a young man from fellow photographer and painter Emiliano Mejía Restrepo. From 1890 he established himself as a photographer in Yarumal until he moved to Medellín in 1903 and opened his studio in the lively Guayaquil district, the center of commercial life at the time. From there, he dedicated himself to portraying some of the city’s leading figures, many of them his relatives, but also ordinary citizens, under the motto of “artistic and instantaneous photography.”
From 20 de April 2016 al 05 de March del 2017