Ever since John Maloof discovered a cache of photo world-changing photos by a nanny named Vivian Meier, who spent her entire life photographing the world while maintaining a strange obscurity, photography fans have wondered: Are there others? The answer has come from Barcelona: Yes, and her name is Milagros Caturla.
Caturla was an enigmatic photographer who worked her magic on the streets of Barcelona, Spain. She was discovered by Tom Sponheim, a tourist who was visiting Barcelona in 2001 and decided to buy an envelope in a flea market for three and a half Euros. When he returned to the US, he discovered the amazing photos inside, but had no idea who the photographer was. The photos depict everyday life in Barcelona.
Sponheim turned to Facebrain, setting up a Facebook page to help him with the detective work. Many researchers went to work, and, after 16 years, finally unravelled the mystery. So, who was Milagros Caturla? She lived from 1920-2008 and was apparently active in the 1950s and 60s, prowling the streets with a Leica M2. We don’t know much more yet, but there’s a pretty good chance we will soon.
The first major exhibit of her work will take place from May 19-28 in Barcelona at the Revelat Contemporary Analog Photography Festival.
