Bernd und Hilla Becher

Published in 2002 by Schirmer/Mosel, this monograph provides a comprehensive survey of the work of Bernd and Hilla Becher, the influential German conceptual artist duo known for their rigorous, objective documentation of industrial architecture. The book serves as a critical retrospective, cataloging their systematic approach to capturing cooling towers, blast furnaces, and water towers through the mid-20th century, which established the foundation for the Düsseldorf School of Photography.

Susanne Lange, a noted scholar and curator, curated the text to provide context for the Bechers' repetitive, grid-based aesthetic. The design and layout prioritize the pair's iconic black-and-white typologies, reflecting the artists' own intent to transform utilitarian structures into sculptural subjects. Upon its release, the volume was well-received by the international art community as an essential reference for understanding how the Bechers elevated industrial photography to the status of fine art.