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Photo Collection

The Photographic Collection of the Weltmuseum Wien contains more than 140,000 objects, and deserves attention from the standpoints of both ethnology and the history of photography. It was established in 1880, around 40 years after the invention of photography. Its task was to support the research and exhibition activities of the anthropological-ethnographic department at the Imperial and Royal Court Museum of Natural History in Vienna.

A black-and-white photograph depicts a group of six individuals dressed in traditional costumes. Four wear tall masks with exaggerated facial features topped with grass, while one person beside them wears a different costume adorned with plant material. Another individual stands to the left holding a flute.

About the collection

Photography was initially considered a purely documentary medium that was able to “objectively” depict reality. New insights followed: the subjective character of photography as recognised and aesthetic questions considered. It became increasingly clear to what degree the view of the world and its inhabitants were influenced through media.

The collection includes important examples of early travel and research photography, including works by Albert Frisch, Joachim von Brenner-Felsach, Otto Finsch, Oscar Baumann, Eduard Hodek, Rudolf Pöch, Helene and Rudolf Oldenburg, Christoph Fürer-Haimendorf, and Mario Baldi. In addition, the extensive holdings document the development of commercial photography outside of Europe through photos from established studios in the late 19th century.

A historical black and white photograph featuring a group of Indigenous men, adorned with traditional attire and headdresses, gathered around an early phonograph. They appear engaged and curious, listening to the device, set against a backdrop of palm trees and grass.

e.g. Quetzal, Buddha, Benin

A historical black-and-white photograph featuring two men seated next to each other. The man on the left is dressed in military attire, while the man on the right is wearing traditional attire with a turban. They are positioned against an ornate background.

Research projects on the collection

All research projects

Contact

Dr. Hanin Hannouch
Curator
+43 1 534 30 – 5066
hanin.hannouch@weltmuseumwien.at

Mag. Manfred Kaufmann
Curator
+43 1 534 30 – 5110
manfred.kaufmann@weltmuseumwien.at

History of the collection

The Photographic Collection of the Weltmuseum was established in 1880, around 40 years after the invention of photography. Its task was to support the research and exhibition activities of the anthropological-ethnographic department at the Imperial and Royal Court Museum of Natural History in Vienna. From its rather modest beginnings and despite the lack of adequate means for a systematic expansion, the collection has been growing ever since, today containing about 129,000 objects that deserve attention from the standpoints of both ethnology and the history of photography.

In the early beginnings, photography was interesting from a purely documentary perspective as a medium that was allegedly able to “objectively” depict reality. Nevertheless, photography gradually recognised its aesthetic aspects, its subjectivity, and its significance due to its influence on the view of the world and its inhabitants.

Aside from extensive holdings documenting the development of commercial photography outside of Europe in the late 19th century (represented by photographs of the studios Bonfils, Sébah & Joaillier, Zangaki, Lehnert & Landrock, Woodbury & Page, Kazumasa Ogawa, Kerry & Co., Lala Deen Dayal, and others), the collection also features important examples of early travel and research photography, including works by Albert Frisch, Joachim von Brenner-Felsach, Otto Finsch, Oscar Baumann, Eduard Hodek, Rudolf Pöch, Helene and Rudolf Oldenburg, Christoph Fürer-Haimendorf, and Mario Baldi.

Further collections and departments