Candida Hofer Still-life Photography

Candida Höfer is one of the most distinctive and influential late 20th century photographers. As a student of Bernd and Hilla Becher, Höfer established her signature style in the late 1970's/early 1980's in Germany with her technically precise large-scale images of public spaces void of any visitors. Along with her contemporaries, including Thomas Struth, she helped evolve a new genre of urban and institutional portraiture; creating images that were void of sentimentality or nationalism. This diptych is a classic example of Höfer's work. The architectural and decorative details of this grand library, specifically the arches on each floor, create a pattern that approaches abstraction. Her photographs investigate the forms and structures of spaces, as well as their details. This approach leads her to very personal portraits of spaces. "Universitätsbibliothek Hamburg, 2000" Germany, 2002 Signed “H.C.” by the artist in black ink on a label affixed to the reverse Two chromogenic prints on photo paper flush...