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

關於Leica Camera

Leica Camera AG是國際性的頂級相機、鏡頭和運動光學產品製造商，擁有超過150年的歷史。公司發展策略包含將業務擴展至行動影像（智慧型手機）、高級眼鏡鏡片與腕錶的生產，並推出自己的家庭影院投影機。

Leica Camera AG坐落於韋茨拉爾（德國），第二個生產地位於法馬利康新鎮（葡萄牙），銷售網遍布全球，擁有超過120間徠卡專賣店。公司旗下有2400名員工，2023／24會計年度的營業額達5.54億歐元。

徠卡品牌是卓越品質、德國工藝，以及融合工業設計與創新技術的代名詞。推廣攝影文化是徠卡品牌文化至關重要的一部分，包含遍布全球的30間徠卡藝廊、徠卡學院，以及國際性獎項如Leica Hall of Fame Award和Leica Oskar Barnack Award（LOBA）。