Germaine Van Parys (1893-1983) was one of Belgium's most important photographers. As a press photographer, she had the privilege of looking in on the lives of the royal families, but her work also features rock-and-roll stars and the common man. Her godchild Odette Dereze (born in 1932) followed in her godmother's footsteps from a young age and started a career as a photo journalist. As a result of the exhibition of the works of Germaine Van Parys and Odette Dereze at the Photo Museum Antwerp (Autumn 2013 - Spring 2014), extensive research done by photo historian Johan Swinnen resulted in the rediscovery of much hitherto unknown archival material of significant photographic-historical value created by these two strong female photographic pioneers. The book Germaine Van Parys & Odette Dereze: "The Touch of Time" offers a surprising selection from their captivating work. Text in English, French and Dutch. AUTHOR: Johan Swinnen is the founder and former general director of the HISK The Higher Institute for Fine Arts in Antwerp. He teaches visual culture at the faculty of Economic, Social and Political Sciences & Solvay Business School at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (vub). He is chairman of Toneelhuis Antwerpen and the Germain Van Parys Foundation and is administrator of several cultural organisations including kvs, deBuren, the Henri Storck Foundation and Muntpunt. 100 colour and 100 b/w photographs