The invention of press photography

A joint exhibition of ullstein bild / Axel Springer Syndication GmbH and the Deutsches Historisches Museum

The exhibition focuses on the Ullstein press photo collection launched at the turn of the 20th century and the weekly news magazine "Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung" (BIZ), published by Ullstein from 1894 on, which together represent a historical turning point in the development of the German press landscape. It documents the entrance of photography into the newspaper world and the related development of modern newspaper publications, which were able to increase their impact and popularity by means of pictures.

The heart of the exhibition consists of original photographs from the collection of ullstein bild: works by such noted photographers as Georg and Otto Haeckel, Philipp Kester, Martin Munkacsi, Felix H. Man, Erich Salomon, Yva, Max Ehlert and Rosemarie Clausen. This unique collection has grown over time, giving us insight into the history of photography, the press and the Ullstein publishing house, but also into several epochs of contemporary history.

Starting with Ullstein’s flagship magazine, "Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung", the exhibition presents the pictorial world of photographs from one of the most successful popular magazines in the history of the publishing house. With a circulation that sometimes reached the two million mark, it was the market leader and was read by broad segments of the population. In the exhibition the BIZ stands for the birth of a new medium, the illustrated magazine, and the way it dealt with photography, which influenced people’s viewing habits and engaged the visual longings of its readers.

The exhibition concentrates on original examples of analogue photography, presenting a new perspective for the viewer. Pictures by well-known or famous photographers of their times document the high demands the BIZ placed on quality and offer visitors a multi-faceted survey for their viewing pleasure.

See some impressions of the exhibition in our picture gallery (© DHM | Siesing).

You will find the complete offer at www.ullsteinbild.de.