The exhibition "Snapshots from the Past World. Leszno photographic studio in the years: 1861 – 1939"
We invite you to visit the temporary exhibition of works by Leszno photographers from the nineteenth and first half of the twentieth century. The exhibition is available in the Museum building at 31 G. Narutowicza Street from October 17, 2023 to January 28, 2024.
Leszno photo studio
The exhibition is based on works made in Leszno photographic studios from 1861 to the 40s of the twentieth century. It is a review of work of photographers working in Leszno over the years. From unsigned works (in the initial period, photographers did not sign their photos) to those that come from the atelier of Tadeusz Semrau and Małgorzata Kochowicz, i.e. from the interwar period. At the beginning, photography was the work of merchants, painters and secondary school teachers, but over the years professional photographers entered the profession using the title of court photographer of kings or princes. Thanks to the decorative backs of the photos, it will be possible to see the exact location of the Leszno ateliers on a special map. An interesting fact is the photos of the Günther sisters from Leszno, taken in the 1860s in the studio of Ferdinand Gregor and Głogów photographers working in Leszno – Rabe&Thiele. Office photographs of famous residents of Leszno also come from this period: Dr. Jan Metzig from Nordon Meyer’s studio and Stanisław Karwowski by Ottomar Anschütz. In the photos we will also see the family of the last director of the Leszno boys' gymnasium from Prussian times Alfred von Sanden, the owner of the Czacz estate - Jan Żółtowski and Jan and Józef Górecki. Another interesting fact are the photos taken in motion from around 1886 by Ottomar Anschütz.
In addition to exhibits from the artist's own collection, the exhibition will also feature photographs from institutions and private individuals.
Leszno photo studio
The exhibition is based on works made in Leszno photographic studios from 1861 to the 40s of the twentieth century. It is a review of work of photographers working in Leszno over the years. From unsigned works (in the initial period, photographers did not sign their photos) to those that come from the atelier of Tadeusz Semrau and Małgorzata Kochowicz, i.e. from the interwar period. At the beginning, photography was the work of merchants, painters and secondary school teachers, but over the years professional photographers entered the profession using the title of court photographer of kings or princes. Thanks to the decorative backs of the photos, it will be possible to see the exact location of the Leszno ateliers on a special map. An interesting fact is the photos of the Günther sisters from Leszno, taken in the 1860s in the studio of Ferdinand Gregor and Głogów photographers working in Leszno – Rabe&Thiele. Office photographs of famous residents of Leszno also come from this period: Dr. Jan Metzig from Nordon Meyer’s studio and Stanisław Karwowski by Ottomar Anschütz. In the photos we will also see the family of the last director of the Leszno boys' gymnasium from Prussian times Alfred von Sanden, the owner of the Czacz estate - Jan Żółtowski and Jan and Józef Górecki. Another interesting fact are the photos taken in motion from around 1886 by Ottomar Anschütz.
In addition to exhibits from the artist's own collection, the exhibition will also feature photographs from institutions and private individuals.
Idea for exhibition
The direct pretext for preparing the exhibition of works from Leszno photography studios, located in the collections of the District Museum in Leszno, was to expand it with further exhibits in the years 2021-2022. Thanks to the consistent expansion of the collection (the collection of photographs currently has over 2,400 photos), it is now possible to trace the development of photography over the years, but also to show the development of the city, the history of Leszno families and individual residents.
The collected collection is an invaluable source for historians. Thanks to the signed photographs, we learn about the fate of specific photography studios, their owners and locations. With the help of old photographs, we can look at the history of Leszno from a different perspective, take a holistic look at the collection of photographs created over 40 years through gifts, donations and purchases. Most of works from Leszno photography studios will be shown for the first time. The exhibition will contribute to promoting artistic values by presenting, among others, the achievements of local photographers, completely forgotten today.
The collected collection is an invaluable source for historians. Thanks to the signed photographs, we learn about the fate of specific photography studios, their owners and locations. With the help of old photographs, we can look at the history of Leszno from a different perspective, take a holistic look at the collection of photographs created over 40 years through gifts, donations and purchases. Most of works from Leszno photography studios will be shown for the first time. The exhibition will contribute to promoting artistic values by presenting, among others, the achievements of local photographers, completely forgotten today.
Target group, availability
The exhibition will be aimed at a wide audience, including adults, youth, and children. The variety of topics covered by the objects on display means that the exhibition will have both an educational dimension and provide artistic experiences. The arrangement will be prepared in accordance with accessibility requirements, and descriptions will appear in the form of easy texts.
Other information
Exhibition opening ceremony - 17/10/2023
Sunday curatorial tour - 22/10/2023, 4:00 PM
Special educational activities:
About the exhibition - with the participation of curator, historian, Artur Michalak
About photography - with the participation of photographer Paulina Pracz
About the connections between photography and film - with the participation of culture expert, Jakub Piwoński
Orders for a lesson or tour: 65 529 61 40 ext. 3, edukacja@muzeum.leszno.pl
Admission ticket price:
tour - PLN 12 regular / PLN 10 reduced per person
tour with a guide - 1 hour / PLN 50 (+ entrance ticket)
educational activities - PLN 7 for schools / PLN 5 for kindergartens per person
Location: District Museum in Leszno, 31 G. Narutowicza 31 Street, 2nd floor, temporary exhibition hall
Availability: 17/10/2023 – 28/01/2024
Curator: Artur Michalak, MOL historian - artur.michalak@muzeum.leszno.pl
Sunday curatorial tour - 22/10/2023, 4:00 PM
Special educational activities:
About the exhibition - with the participation of curator, historian, Artur Michalak
About photography - with the participation of photographer Paulina Pracz
About the connections between photography and film - with the participation of culture expert, Jakub Piwoński
Orders for a lesson or tour: 65 529 61 40 ext. 3, edukacja@muzeum.leszno.pl
Admission ticket price:
tour - PLN 12 regular / PLN 10 reduced per person
tour with a guide - 1 hour / PLN 50 (+ entrance ticket)
educational activities - PLN 7 for schools / PLN 5 for kindergartens per person
Location: District Museum in Leszno, 31 G. Narutowicza 31 Street, 2nd floor, temporary exhibition hall
Availability: 17/10/2023 – 28/01/2024
Curator: Artur Michalak, MOL historian - artur.michalak@muzeum.leszno.pl