City of Women Photographers. Frankfurt 1844 – 2024

Like few major European cities, Frankfurt has been attracting female photographers and photo artists since the invention of photography, who have influenced photographic practice and theory both nationally and internationally.  Important names in the history of photography and the art of photography are closely associated with her: Ella Bergmann-Michel, Gisèle Freund, Ilse Bing, Abisag Tüllmann, Mara Eggert and Barbara Klemm.

Frankfurt's development into an international metropolis since industrialisation is closely linked to the development of the medium of photography, but also to the social and artistic emancipation history of female photographers. Frankfurt as the artistic, professional and life-world centre of the female photographers was and still is much more than a coincidence of the place: to this day, many opportunities for training, work and impact arise for them; but the city as a photographic object also unites their works. Many well-known female photographers of their time, however, have so far hardly been appreciated by the general public. The Historical Museum Frankfurt therefore features around 450 regional, national and international exhibits covering the entire 1000m2 special exhibition area for their exhibition of works.