Albert Renger-Patzsch (1897–1966), who produced a huge body of work spanning four and half decades, was one of the most influential photographers of the New Objectivity movement. His work helped to establish photography as a unique and important medium within modern art. Renger-Patzsch revived realism in photography, adopting an approach that was characterised by formal and technical rigour and a rejection of expressionism and pictorial stylisation. His incredible sense of composition, and his attention to detail, structure and form resulted in images that are amazingly sharp and clear. Photography was, for him, a medium that made possible new forms of artistic imagery, while experimenting with new technology.His original, simple images combine extraordinary realism and documentary strength with poetic and visual value. Renger-Patzsch was a very prolific photographer who explored a wide range of subjects and genres: from flowers to architecture, from composed still lives to rural landscapes.
Albert Renger-Patzsch, Things. At Jeu de Paume, Paris. From October 17th to January 21rst, 2018. jeudepaume.org.
