Bernd and Hilla Becher, Preparation Plants

“All we did was to turn back the time to a photography of precision which is superior to the human eye.” – Bernd Becher

“We don’t agree with the depiction of buildings in the ‘20s and 1930s. Things were seen either from above or below which tended to monumentalize the object. This was exploited in terms of a socialistic view—a fresh view of the world, a new man, a new beginning.” – Bernd and Hilla Becher

Bernd and Hilla Becher, a creative couple who worked together from the early 1960s until the 2000s, are celebrated for their meticulous photographic documentation of industrial architecture. Their artworks capture a wide array of utilitarian structures such as water towers, coal bunkers, factories, silos, and gas tanks across Europe and North America. By photographing each subject in the exact same way—under overcast skies, using black and white film, and devoid of any human figures—they created a typology of industrial buildings that invites viewers to consider these forms as part of a larger artistic and cultural context. This consistent approach in their photo series not only highlights the formal qualities of these structures but also encourages a deeper engagement with the artwork itself, beyond the medium of photography. Their signature style of repetitive imagery and meticulous detail positions these everyday industrial forms as objects of beauty and historical significance. Bernd and Hilla Becher’s influence extends beyond their own artworks; as professors of photography at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, they shaped the careers of a new generation of photographers, including prominent figures like Candida Höfer, Andreas Gursky, Thomas Ruff and Thomas Struth. Through their pioneering work and teaching, the Bechers played a crucial role in the development of contemporary photography, challenging perceptions and urging a reevaluation of the industrial landscape. German, Bernd Becher (1931-2007) & Hilla Becher (1934-2015) left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire and provoke scrutiny in the realm of photographic art.

Bernd and Hilla Becher, Preparation Plants