The first exhibition in the Leica Galerie Wetzlar of Leica’s jubilee year 2025 appears under the motto: “100 Years of Leica: Witness to a Century,” and will be on display from February 07 until June 01, 2025. The exhibition presents an exciting selection of photographs and items offering, for the first time, a glimpse into the rich Leica Archive collection. It represents not only the company’s memory but is also a treasure trove of stories to be discovered.
Leica has shaped the history of photography for over 100 years. With the invention of the first models, Leica made a decisive contribution to new forms of imagery, and with 35mm photography to the development of its own visual language. The company has been committed to image culture ever since, and the camera systems that came along during the 20th century also influenced the development and perception of the medium. The close collaboration with leading photographers from different fields of photography, as well as the cooperation of countless amateurs and Leica enthusiasts, scientists and technophiles, has given rise to a comprehensive Leica Archive, which includes not only technical camera items, but also many collections of pictures. Frequently acquired as photographers’ so-called proof of performance, and archived as exemplary pieces, their inclusion was often a tribute to these achievements. Consequently, the archive encompasses the complex palette of Leica photography in all its manifestations: from architecture to reportage; from portrait to still-life; and from street to documentary.
The exhibition presents more that 50 works, including by great classics of Leica photography, such as Thomas Hoepker, Frank Horvat, Toni Schneiders and Erich Angenendt and, for connoisseurs of Leica photography, exemplary Leica representatives such as Horst H. Baumann, Peter Cornelius and Hans Silvester, as well as pictures by unknown Leica photographers, and others worth rediscovering, such as Julius Behnke, Lothar Klimek, Siegfried Hartig and Hans Cordes. In addition to classically-framed works, some of the ‘proofs of performance’ are presented in their original form on index cards, in order to provide additional insight into the diversity of the Leica Archive. Furthermore, the display is enriched by several archival finds that were once exhibited as Leica advertising material in camera shops or at trade fairs, and which now reveal much about the visual aesthetics of the time and their significance for the amateur sector.
For further information about the Leica Galerie Wetzlar:
https://leica-camera.com/en-int/Leica-Galleries/Leica-Gallery-Wetzlar
100 years of Leica: Witness to a century
In 2025, Leica Camera AG is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Leica I. First presented to the public at the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1925, it was the first 35mm camera to be mass-produced and exceeded all expectations. Thanks to its compact and handy format, it opened up completely new photographic applications. Under the motto ‘100 Years of Leica: Witness to a Century’, Leica Camera AG is celebrating this camera that revolutionised the world of photography around the globe. At international events organised by the Leica country organisations in the major cities of Dubai, Milan, New York, Shanghai and Tokyo, cultural projects and extraordinary special product editions will be presented throughout the year. The highlight of the celebrations is the anniversary week at the company's headquarters in Wetzlar in June. In addition, there will be high-calibre exhibitions in the worldwide network of Leica Galleries with works by outstanding photographers.
Please find further information at:
Leica Camera AG
Ann-Kristin Löhr
Global PR Coordination
Ann-Kristin.Loehr@leica-camera.com
À propos de Leica Camera
Leica Camera AG est un fabricant haut de gamme d’appareils photo, d’objectifs et de produits d’observation. Entreprise internationale, elle peut s’enorgueillir d’une histoire qui couvre plus d’un siècle et demi. Dans le contexte de sa stratégie de développement, elle a étendu ses activités au Mobile Imaging (smartphones), ainsi qu’à la conception de verres de lunettes et de montres de qualité supérieure. Elle est également représentée dans le segment du home cinéma par ses projecteurs.
Le groupe Leica Camera AG se compose de son siège situé à Wetzlar, en Allemagne, d’un deuxième site de production à Vila Nova de Famalicão, au Portugal, et d’un réseau de plus de 120 Leica Stores dans le monde. L’entreprise emploie plus de 2400 collaboratrices et collaborateurs et a réalisé un chiffre d’affaires de 554 millions d’euros sur l’année financière 2023/24.
La marque Leica, c’est une qualité supérieure, ainsi qu’un savoir-faire et un design industriel allemands, le tout combiné à des technologies innovantes. Un élément important de la culture de la marque est la promotion de la photographie par le biais de près de trente galeries Leica, des Leica Akademies ainsi que de prix internationaux tels que le Leica Hall of Fame Award et le Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA).