Ilse Bing (1899-1998) was one of several leading women photographers in the inter-war period. Born into a Jewish family in Frankfurt, she initially pursued an academic career before moving to Paris in 1930 to concentrate on photography. In the early 1930s Bing was a prolific photographer, well-known for her modernist, journalistic city scenes. She earned her living by making portraits as well. This portrait of a young girl staring into the distance shows Bing's skill as a portraitist. The large nasturtiums in the background contrast with the delicate bright flowers on the girl's dress. The shadows behind highlight the bright young face, emphasising the subject. Bing was fascinated with shadow and abstract forms, and brought these concerns to her compositions.