Renowned photographer Werner Bischof (1916-1954) was a photojournalist for iconic publications such as Life and Picture Post. In the two decades before his untimely demise in 1954, he created a memorable and multifaceted body of work. Commemorating his centenary, the Hague Museum of Photography presents a comprehensive retrospective of his work, showcasing approximately 220 original prints, along with contact prints, personal correspondence, and photographic books. This exhibit provides a thorough look into his studio work, his documentation of post-World War II Europe, and his journeys to Asia, South America, and the United States. Curated by the photographer’s eldest son, Marco Bischof, in collaboration with Magnum Photos, the exhibit will also feature an additional 30 photographs captured by Bischof in the Netherlands during the autumn of 1945, never before seen by the public.
Upon Werner Bischof’s graduation from the Zurich School of Applied Arts in 1936, he appeared destined for greatness in the emerging field of advertising photography. Despite the war, he remained steadfast in this pursuit well into the 1940s. However, towards the end of the war and following the liberation of Europe, Bischof’s perspective shifted towards the greater mission of photography: to bear witness to events, gather evidence, and unearth the truth. Instantly enamored with photojournalism, he devoted his efforts solely towards covering social and political issues. Until his unexpected and tragic passing in 1954 (due to a car accident in Peru), he remained resolute in his determination to expose injustice, whether it be the famine in India or the daily toll of war on a remote Vietnamese village.
Werner Bischof embarked on a journey from Zurich to the war-ravaged nations of Luxembourg, Holland, Belgium, and France in November 1945. His purpose was to capture the aftermath of the aid provided by the Swiss relief organization Die Schweizer Spende to the devastated countries. His photo reportage was later published in the spring of 1946, titled ‘Europe’, in the cultural monthly magazine, Du. Along with documenting the aid efforts, Bischof and his partner Emil Schulthess also witnessed the “appalling destruction and unimaginable chaos” in the towns and cities they traveled through. As a photographer, Bischof was struck by the juxtaposition of children playing amidst the rubble, destruction and reconstruction, sorrow and hope.
www.ftn-books.com has the Bischof invitation for Fotomuseum Den Haag exhibition now available.
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