The approach of Bernd and Hilla Becher is new in modern photography. In an industrial world that has no reason to be preserved they photograph the threatened factories.
Wanting a distortless reproduction of what they see, they use lenses of very long focal length with a large size Linhof camera. The buildings and installations perfectly centered in a rigorously frontal viewing form a collection in which the geometric shapes become remarkably repetitive, demonstrating an unwanted architectural standardization linked to functionality.
The Bechers' black and white work is recognized as one of the most important photographic recordings of current world. Bernd was appointed professor at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf in 1976.
Thomas Struth retained from the Bechers' teaching the centered architecture, frontal and without deformation. He adds the color, the very large format and the interior views of museums or churches. His purpose is not documentary. He confronts the stereotypical attitude of anonymous passers-by with regard to monuments and works of art belonging to a bygone culture. His clash between past and present is nostalgic as well as sociological.
In 1991 he publishes in ten 184 x 238 cm chromogenic prints a photograph showing the majestic interior of the Pantheon of Rome, occupied at the center by an agglomerated group of tourists. One of them was sold for $ 1,8M including premium by Sotheby's on May 12, 2015.
In 1998 his view of the dome of Milan is printed in the same quantity and technique in a similar format, 183 x 230 cm. The facade is straight and centered, with no horizon. On the steps and courtyard ordinary people pass or stroll, interested or indifferent in front of this towering religious monument from the old time.
The serial number 1/10 of the Milan view was sold for £ 410K including premium by Christie's on October 14, 2007. The 7/10 is for sale by Sotheby's in New York on September 28, lot 23 estimated $ 300K.
SOLD for $ 460K including premium
Wanting a distortless reproduction of what they see, they use lenses of very long focal length with a large size Linhof camera. The buildings and installations perfectly centered in a rigorously frontal viewing form a collection in which the geometric shapes become remarkably repetitive, demonstrating an unwanted architectural standardization linked to functionality.
The Bechers' black and white work is recognized as one of the most important photographic recordings of current world. Bernd was appointed professor at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf in 1976.
Thomas Struth retained from the Bechers' teaching the centered architecture, frontal and without deformation. He adds the color, the very large format and the interior views of museums or churches. His purpose is not documentary. He confronts the stereotypical attitude of anonymous passers-by with regard to monuments and works of art belonging to a bygone culture. His clash between past and present is nostalgic as well as sociological.
In 1991 he publishes in ten 184 x 238 cm chromogenic prints a photograph showing the majestic interior of the Pantheon of Rome, occupied at the center by an agglomerated group of tourists. One of them was sold for $ 1,8M including premium by Sotheby's on May 12, 2015.
In 1998 his view of the dome of Milan is printed in the same quantity and technique in a similar format, 183 x 230 cm. The facade is straight and centered, with no horizon. On the steps and courtyard ordinary people pass or stroll, interested or indifferent in front of this towering religious monument from the old time.
The serial number 1/10 of the Milan view was sold for £ 410K including premium by Christie's on October 14, 2007. The 7/10 is for sale by Sotheby's in New York on September 28, lot 23 estimated $ 300K.
SOLD for $ 460K including premium
Preview captivating photographs from leading members of the Düsseldorf school in our sale of #SothebysPhotographs https://t.co/PH3cjGocHb pic.twitter.com/6FbnZNBAKs
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) September 16, 2017
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