Photography Collection

The Photography collection is characterised by an extensive and diverse array of photographs that reflect German and European history from multifaceted perspectives. It has come together through the acquisition of photos from numerous estates dating from the era of the German Empire through to the Federal Republic of Germany, from the fields of press and commercial photography, primarily contemporary photojournalism, while the photographic holdings stemming from the GDR focus particularly on the themes of everyday life and work. In addition, artistic works by well-known photographers from both German states reflect the socio-political fluctuations in Germany and Europe. Other key areas include objects relating to early photographic processes and private photo albums, as well as works from the German Youth Photography Prize. The so-called “Kaiserpanorama”, comprising more than 13,000 coloured, highly fragile stereo glass slides, is one of the world’s most valuable and extensive collections of its kind.