Bernd & Hilla Becher

Published by Schirmer/Mosel in 2014, this volume serves as a comprehensive retrospective of the work of Bernd and Hilla Becher. The husband-and-wife duo, who pioneered the Düsseldorf School of photography, dedicated their careers to the systematic documentation of industrial structures across Europe and North America. Their work, characterized by strict objective protocols—grayscale photography, overcast lighting, and uniform framing—was initially met with skepticism by the art world but eventually became a cornerstone of twentieth-century conceptual photography.

The book highlights the Bechers' decades-long project of creating 'typologies,' where similar structures like water towers, blast furnaces, and mine heads are presented in grids. This presentation style underscores their intent to treat these utilitarian buildings as sculptures, devoid of personal expression or narrative. This collection was assembled to offer a definitive look at their methodological rigor, preserving their role in transforming industrial documentation into high-concept artistic practice.