Ernst Scheidegger at 100: a fresh look at an unconventional Swiss photographer

Ernst Scheidegger (19232016) ranks among Switzerland's most distinguished 20th-century photographers. His portraits of artists made his name internationally. Scheidegger's photographs of Alberto Giacometti at his Paris studio or in his native Val Bregaglia in Switzerland continue to shape the public image of this celebrated artist today.

Marking the centenary of Ernst Scheidegger, who was also the founder of our publishing house, this book offers a fresh and contemporary look at his multi-faceted body of work. It is based on an extensive reappraisal of his estate and features a concise selection of iconic and lesser-known images that demonstrated Scheidegger's prowess as a portraitist. More importantly, however, the volume enables an encounter with Scheidegger's hitherto little-published early work and thus undertakes a reassessment of his entire oeuvre. Essays by Tobia Bezzola, art historian and director of the MASI Lugano, Alessa Widmer, curator and artistic director of Photo Basel art fair, Kunsthaus Zürich conservator Philippe Büttner, and Helen Grob, Scheidegger's long-time companion, trace his career and self-concept as a photographer and round off this beautifully designed photo book.

Bronze medal at the German Photo Book Award 24/25.

• Ernst Scheidegger (19232016) ranks among the most distinguished Swiss photographers of the 20th century
• Ernst Scheidegger is revered internationally for his portraits of famous artists such as Alberto Giacometti, Joan Miró, and Hans Arp
• This book offers the first-ever comprehensive survey of Scheidegger's largely unknown early work, featuring numerous previously unpublished photographs
• Takes a fresh look at Scheidegger as a photographer and revaluates his oeuvre from a contemporary perspective
• Marks Ernst Scheidegger's centenary on November 30, 2023
• English edition of Ernst Scheidegger. Fotograf (ISBN 978-3-03942-173-2)
• Exhibitions: Ernst Scheidegger: Photographer at Kunsthaus Zürich (October 27, 2023 to January 21, 2024) and Eye to Eye: Hommage to Ernst Scheidegger at MASI Lugano (February 18 to July 21, 2024)

Autorentext

The Zurich-based Ernst Scheidegger Archive Foundation was established in 2010 with the aim of preserving the legacy of distinguished Swiss photographer Ernst Scheidegger (1923-2016) and to make his estate accessible to the public. The archive holdings comprise some 80,000 negatives and 50,000 slides, the originals of Scheidegger's numerous film documentaries on artists and travel reportage.

Klappentext

Ernst Scheidegger (1923-2016) ranks among Switzerland's most distinguished 20th-century photographers. His portraits of artists made his name internationally. Scheidegger's photographs of Alberto Giacometti at his Paris studio or in his native Val Bregaglia in Switzerland continue to shape the public image of this celebrated artist today.

Marking the centenary of Ernst Scheidegger, who was also the founder of our publishing house, this book offers a fresh and contemporary look at his multi-faceted body of work. It is based on an extensive reappraisal of his estate and features a concise selection of iconic and lesser-known images that demonstrated Scheidegger's prowess as a portraitist. More importantly, however, the volume enables an encounter with Scheidegger's hitherto little-published early work and thus undertakes a reassessment of his entire oeuvre. Essays by Tobia Bezzola, art historian and director of the MASI Lugano, Alessa Widmer, curator and artistic director of Photo Basel art fair, Kunsthaus Zürich conservator Philippe Büttner, and Helen Grob, Scheidegger's long-time companion, trace his career and self-concept as a photographer and round off this beautifully designed photo book.

Bronze medal at the German Photo Book Award 24/25.

Zusammenfassung
Ernst Scheidegger at 100: a fresh look at an unconventional Swiss photographer