Bernhard and Hilla Becher's photographs appear as factual, precise and apparently passive representations of utilitarian structures. The neutral, even bland, quality of their images - always taken on grey days to avoid harsh shadows - suits the industrial subject matter. They have maintained a consistency of style allowing the systematic comparison of building types in photographs often displayed together in grids. When compared with each another, the outlines of the buildings begin to take on a sculptural quality. Despite being treated equally, each structure has strong individual characteristics, revealed by the Becher's approach.
Physical description
Black and white photograph of a lime kilns.
Place of Origin
Brielle (photographed)
Munich (published)
Date
1974 (photographed)
20th century (made)
1975 (published)
Artist/maker
Becher, Bernhard, born 1931 (photographer)
Becher, Hilla, born 1934 (photographer)
Materials and Techniques
Gelatin-silver print
Dimensions
Height: 39.8 cm image, Width: 30.1 cm image, Height: 49.7 cm sheet, Width: 40.3 cm sheet, : 403 mm, : 497 mm
Object history note
This is the first of a portfolio of 14 prints: “Industrial Buildings” published by Schirmer/Mosel, Munich, 1975, in association with Ilea Sonnabend. Edition of 50, the photographs were printed by the artists and mounted on white card.
Descriptive line
'Lime Kilns, Brielle, Holland'; photograph (gelatin-silver print) by Bernd and Hilda Becher, 1975, Holland
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Taken from Departmental Circulation Register 1975
Labels and date
Bernhard and Hilla Becher's photographs appear as factual, precise and apparently passive representations of utilitarian structures. The neutral, even bland, quality of their images - always taken on grey days to avoid harsh shadows - suits the industrial subject matter. They have maintained a consistency of style allowing the systematic comparison of building types in photographs often displayed together in grids. When compared with each another, the outlines of the buildings begin to take on a sculptural quality. Despite being treated equally, each structure has strong individual characteristics, revealed by the Becher's approach. [22/09/2004]
Bernd and Hilla Becher collaborated for over 40 years, first working together in 1959. Their systematic photography of industrial architecture brought them recognition as conceptual artists as well as photographers. With a deliberately impersonal style, they catalogued and compared the functional yet sculptural forms of steel mills and mines.
The Bechers devised a system of ‘typologies’, arranging particular types of buildings in grids. They used a 10 x 8 inch large format camera to obtain detail and worked on overcast days to avoid shadows.
The technical precision and serial approach of the Bechers has influenced some of the most well known fine art photographers today, including Thomas Struth, Thomas Ruff and Andreas Gursky, who were taught by them at the Düsseldorf Academy. [21/11/2012]
Techniques
Gelatin silver process
Subjects depicted
Lime kilns
Categories
Photographs; Architecture
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
