Bernd und Hilla Becher

Published in 1992 by the Museum für Moderne Kunst in Frankfurt, this monograph was created to accompany a retrospective exhibition of the works of Bernd and Hilla Becher. The Bechers were pioneers of the Düsseldorf School of photography, celebrated for their decades-long systematic documentation of industrial structures such as water towers, blast furnaces, and coal bunkers. By presenting these 'anonymous sculptures' in grid-like typologies, they bridged the gap between conceptual art and documentary photography, emphasizing the structural clarity of the architecture over the subjective viewpoint of the photographer.

Susanne Lange authored this text to provide critical context for the Bechers' rigorous methodology. The design and editorial approach of the book reflect the aesthetic values held by the artists themselves: clinical, objective, and deeply focused on the formal relationships between the industrial subjects. Upon its release, the volume was well-received by the art world as a definitive reference for the Bechers' work, helping to cement their influence on contemporary photographic practice and the conceptual movement in Europe.