Werner Bischof - Zwischen Farbe und Schwarzweiß

The Leica Gallery Düsseldorf presents the multifaceted oeuvre of Swiss Magnum photographer Werner Bischof (1916-1954). Bischof, known for his iconic black-and-white photographs, also explored the medium of color surprisingly early on - he took his first photographs with the Devin Tri-Color Camera as early as 1938. These previously little-known color photographs are a remarkable find and prove that color was more than just a technical experiment for Bischof from the very beginning - it was a consciously chosen means of expression. Rare color photographs that highlight Bischof's sense of light, composition and atmosphere are juxtaposed with his best-known black and white images, including the iconic photograph of Shinto priests in the snowy Meiji Temple in Japan and penguins taking a stroll through Edinburgh. These images illustrate his mastery of capturing moods. Bischof's photographic work was characterized by the tension between documentary accuracy and artistic interpretation. In the post-war period, he vividly documented the destruction of Europe and later life in Asia and South America. In doing so, he lent his motifs a quiet dignity - regardless of whether he was working in color or black and white. With the handy Leica, Bischof finally discovered new photographic possibilities. The camera, a symbol of freedom of movement, allowed him to take spontaneous and dynamic shots that opened up a new level of artistic creation. The juxtaposition of color and black-and-white images reveals how both forms of expression complement each other in his work - and invites us to rediscover his oeuvre.