Ernst Scheidegger. Photographer

The Kunsthaus Zürich presents ‘Ernst Scheidegger. Photographer’, an exhibition honouring one of the leading Swiss photographers of the 20th century. Marking the 100th anniversary of his birth, it reveals the surprising and less-known work of the former Magnum photographer and companion of many artists: among others reportage photos along with portraits of prominent figures from the art world.

80 black-and-white Photographs from the 1940s to the mid-1980s

Admission

Collection PLUS ticket: CHF 24.–/17.–* (entry to the Collection + Bührle Exhibition)
*concessions and groups
Free admission for members and under the age of 14.

Note for groups

We look forward to welcoming you to the Kunsthaus. For organizational reasons, prior registration is required. info@kunsthaus.ch, +41 44 253 84 84

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Ernst Scheidegger (1923–2016) was not only one of the leading Swiss photographers of the 20th century and someone with close ties to both the Kunsthaus Zürich and the Alberto Giacometti Foundation, but also an artist, publisher and gallerist. Following a major presentation at the Kunsthaus Zürich in 1992 devoted to all those aspects of his work, this time round the focus shifts to Scheidegger the photographer. This new show features a series of early, largely unpublished images along with a selection of important photographs in which Scheidegger captured artists of his time, including Joan Miró, Hans Arp, Max Bill, Germaine Richier and Alberto Giacometti.

e-scheidegger_174 — Ernst Scheidegger, Alberto Giacometti paints Isaku Yanaihara in his Paris studio, 1959 © Stiftung Ernst Scheidegger-Archiv, Zürich Works Alberto Giacometti: © Succession Alberto Giacometti / 2023 ProLitteris, Zurich*

e-scheidegger_133neu — Ernst Scheidegger, Hans Arp working on his sculpture ‘Der Wolkenhirt‘, 1953 © Stiftung Ernst Scheidegger-Archiv, Zürich, Works Hans Arp: © 2023, ProLitteris, Zurich*

e_scheidegger_21545_058 — Ernst Scheidegger, Swing boats, ca. 1950 © Stiftung Ernst Scheidegger-Archiv, Zürich

e_scheidegger_20883_051 — Ernst Scheidegger, Installation of the plaster prototype of Max Bill’s ‘Kontinuität‘ sculpture, Zurich, 1947 © Stiftung Ernst Scheidegger-Archiv, Zürich

e-scheidegger_185neu — Ernst Scheidegger, Germaine Richier in her Paris studio, ca. 1953 © Stiftung Ernst Scheidegger-Archiv, Zürich Works Germaine Richier: © 2023, ProLitteris, Zurich*

e_scheidegger_20262_081 — Ernst Scheidegger, A butcher in southern Italy, ca. 1948 © Stiftung Ernst Scheidegger-Archiv, Zürich

e_scheidegger_2225_026 — Ernst Scheidegger, Game of ice hockey on a frozen lake, early 1960s © Stiftung Ernst Scheidegger-Archiv, Zürich

Where is the exhibition located?

At the Moser-Building ground floor. See our online visitor guide!

See our visitor guide

The exhibition thus reveals a key development in Scheidegger’s career: from autonomous, expressive photography in the style of Werner Bischof to the restrained photographic work for which he is famed today, devoted entirely to honouring the artistry of others. The presentation in the cabinet of the historic Moser building curated by Collection Curator Philippe Büttner comprises some 80 black-and-white photographs. These modern prints are complemented by vintage prints, original prints realised and signed by Scheidegger himself, and a series of works from the collections of the Kunsthaus and the Alberto Giacometti Foundation by the artists whom Scheidegger portrayed in his photographs.

The exhibition is a collaboration with MASI Lugano and the Stiftung Ernst Scheidegger-Archiv, Zürich.

Supported by the Monsol Foundation, the Ernst Göhner Foundation and the Erna and Curt Burgauer Foundation.