The Leica Gallery Düsseldorf presents the multifaceted work of Swiss Magnum photographer Werner Bischof (1916–1954). Bischof, known for his iconic black-and-white images, engaged with color surprisingly early on—his first photographs with the Devin Tri-Color Camera date back to 1938. These previously little-known color images are a remarkable discovery and demonstrate that, for Bischof, color was more than a technical experiment from the very beginning—it was a consciously chosen means of expression.

Rare color photographs that highlight Bischof’s sensitivity to light, composition, and atmosphere are placed alongside his most famous black-and-white works. These include the iconic photograph of Shinto priests in the snow-covered Meiji Shrine in Japan and the image of penguins taking a walk through Edinburgh. These pictures illustrate his masterful ability to capture mood.

Bischof’s photographic work was shaped by the tension between documentary precision and artistic interpretation. In the postwar period, he powerfully documented the destruction of Europe and later life in Asia and South America. In doing so, he lent his subjects a quiet dignity—regardless of whether he worked in color or black and white.

With the compact Leica camera, Bischof ultimately discovered new photographic possibilities. The camera, a symbol of freedom of movement, enabled him to take spontaneous and dynamic shots that opened up a new dimension of artistic expression. The juxtaposition of color and black-and-white images reveals how both forms of expression complement each other in his work—and invites viewers to rediscover his oeuvre.