Bernd & Hilla Becher - History of a Method

The artist couple Bernd and Hilla Becher (1931–2007 / 1934–2015) set a benchmark in the history of photography with their work. Beginning in 1959, they collaborated almost continuously for decades on a joint oeuvre, developed across Germany, the Benelux countries, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the United States, and Canada. Their artistic style, characterized by a precise, documentary visual language and methodical systematization, resonated significantly with movements such as Minimal Art and Conceptual Art.

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Against the backdrop of New Objectivity and inspired by 19th-century documentary photography, they created a visual grammar whose influence remains palpable in contemporary photography.For the first time in Europe, Die Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur presents an extensive retrospective featuring over 300 original black-and-white photographs and complementary exhibits, showcasing the formal and thematic breadth and depth of Bernd and Hilla Becher’s work. The exhibition centers on the themes and methods developed by the Bechers: consistent methodical approaches to the photographic motif that evolved and were variably applied over decades.

The exhibition explores how these methods emerged, how they developed, and how they reflected the Bechers' perspective on the different shapes, functions, and integration of industrial buildings into the landscape. Rare early works from both artists – created between the 1950s and 1970s – are on view, many for the first time. These pieces provide insight into the evolution of their shared aesthetic.