Library
Deutsche Fotothek
Deutsche Fotothek is a library in Dresden, Germany.
About Deutsche Fotothek
Overview & Identity
The Deutsche Fotothek is a major picture library and research archive located in Dresden, Germany, operating as an integral part of the Saxon State Library and University Library (SLUB). Established initially in 1924, it has evolved into one of Europe's most significant image archives, holding approximately six million photographic documents. The institution serves as a central hub for the preservation, research, and communication of Germany's photographic heritage, with particular strengths in the history of photography, art, architecture, and technology. It functions not only as a repository but also as a virtual showcase, offering extensive online access to millions of images from diverse institutions and private estates.
History & Founding
The institution was founded in 1924 as the 'Saxon State Association for the Promotion of Film and Photography' (Sächsische Landesbildstelle) with the primary mission of supplying educational materials to schools in Saxony. Its first director was Dr. Fritz Schimmer, and its first photographer was Walter Möbius. By 1944, the collection had grown to include 47,000 negatives and 65,000 slides. The library suffered near-total destruction during the air raids on Dresden in February 1945, with only the negative collection (40,000 pieces) and picture card collection surviving due to prior relocation. Re-established in 1946 and officially reopened in 1947, it underwent several administrative reorganizations, including a 1950 spin-off as the 'Landesfotothek' and a 1956 renaming to 'Deutsche Fotothek Dresden – Zentrales Institut für kulturwissenschaftliche Bilddokumente'. In 1996, it merged into the newly formed SLUB.
Building & Location
Originally housed in the Ehrlichstraße 1 vocational school, the archive was later located in the rebuilt Saxon House of Estates (Ständehaus). Following administrative changes in 1996, when the Ständehaus was assigned to the Dresden Higher Regional Court, the institution moved to rooms on Bautzner Straße 19. With the construction of the new SLUB building, the Deutsche Fotothek was relocated to its current premises on Zellescher Weg in Dresden. This modern facility provides the necessary infrastructure for the preservation of its vast holdings and supports its role as a central research institute within the university library complex.
Collection Highlights & Notable Holdings
The Deutsche Fotothek's holdings comprise approximately six million photographic documents, making it a universal archive of art and cultural history. The collection's strengths lie in photography history, art, architecture, and technology history. A significant portion of the holdings, over 2.2 million images as of 2022, is available online, sourced from 90 different institutions. The archive is particularly noted for its 'Archive of Photographers,' which serves as a virtual showcase for the works of important German photographers and those working in Germany. The collection includes not only the institution's own photographs but also extensive acquisitions from estates and bequests, such as the estate of photographer Christian Borchert, alongside a comprehensive collection of specialized literature on art history and design.
Significance & Research Focus
As a focal library for contemporary and present-day art as well as photography, the Deutsche Fotothek plays a critical role in the scholarly documentation of visual culture. Its mandate includes the cultivation and development of the humanist and proletarian-revolutionary photographic heritage, a focus that shaped its acquisition strategy in the post-war era. Today, it serves as a vital resource for researchers in art history, architecture, and social history, providing access to a vast array of visual documents that span regional history, geography, and global events. The institution's integration into the SLUB Dresden ensures its holdings are preserved for future generations while remaining accessible for academic research and public education.
Plan your visit
Deutsche Fotothek
- Website
- www.deutschefotothek.de