In 1929-1930, the Stones made a large number of portraits of politicians, commissioned by the Belgian parliament. When they arrived in Belgium a few years later, they continued with their political portraits. They also photographed members of the Belgian Workers' Party. These photos often share common characteristics: a framing of the face and upper body that reveals one shoulder, a slightly frog-like perspective, a gaze rarely directed at the lens, and a neutral background. Some photos, however, are exceptions, such as the portrait of August Balthazar, a member of the Belgian Workers' Party, with a truly surprising framing featuring a close-up of the face.
The format of this last photo is the same as other Stones photos. Its imposing size, mounting on thick cardboard, and red text suggest it was intended for exhibition. A photo from a 1932 Sasha Stone exhibition shows a double row of identically mounted large formats. The top of the wall is occupied by portraits of socialist leaders, and the bottom by photos of modern architecture. Here, the photography serves the socialist rhetoric that was also expressed in the posters of the time.
Several portraits of the Stones feature minor retouches made with pencil and brush. These often involve correcting a facial flaw or the curve of a chin, refining a profile, or emphasizing a gaze. These manual alterations to the photo also accentuate shadows and light, creating a sculptural effect on the faces. The original photographs on display in the exhibition were reproduced in print publications at the time. The retouches were no longer clearly visible in these publications, but they still served the intended purpose.
Photo gallery
