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
Leica Camera 소개
Leica Camera AG는 150년 이상의 역사를 자랑하는 세계적인 프리미엄 카메라, 렌즈 및 스포츠 광학 제품 제조업체입니다. 회사의 성장 전략의 일환으로 모바일 이미징(스마트폰), 고급 안경 렌즈 및 시계로 사업을 확장했으며, 자체 프로젝터를 통해 홈 시어터 부문에 진출했습니다.
Leica Camera AG는 베츨라(독일, Wetzlar)에 본사를 두고, 빌라 노바 드 파말리캉(Vila Nova de Famalicão, 포르투갈)에 두 번째 생산 시설을 운영하며, 전 세계 120개 이상의 라이카 스토어를 포함한 자체 유통 네트워크를 보유하고 있습니다. 라이카에서는 2,400여 명의 직원이 근무하고 있으며 회계 연도 2023/24에는 5억 5,400만 유로의 매출을 달성했습니다.
라이카 브랜드는 우수한 품질, 독일의 장인 정신과 산업 디자인과 함께 혁신적인 기술을 상징합니다. 라이카의 브랜드 문화에는 사진 문화를 지원하는 활동이 포함되어 있으며, 전 세계 약 30여 개의 라이카 갤러리, 라이카 아카데미, 그리고 Leica Hall of Fame Award 및 Leica Oskar Barnack Award(LOBA)와 같은 국제 어워드가 이를 뒷받침합니다.