ESSEN.- The Ruhr Museum has opened its doors to the remarkable work of Ruth Hallensleben, a pioneering industrial photographer whose career spanned decades of dramatic change in Germany. "Commissioned Images: Photographs 1931–1973," which opened on February 10, 2025, offers an unprecedented look at Hallensleben's diverse portfolio, drawn from the museum's extensive collection of her negatives and prints.
Hallensleben, born in 1898, was more than just a photographer; she was a chronicler of her times. Starting her independent practice in the 1930s, she quickly became known for her precise and often idealized images, capturing the industrial heart of Germany. Her commissioned work wasn't limited to factories and machines; she also turned her lens to landscapes, portraits, travel, and advertising, demonstrating a remarkable versatility.
This exhibition, the first comprehensive showing of Hallensleben's work, features over 120 images, including original prints, reprints, monitor projections, and even examples of her work in company publications. It's a chance to see the full breadth of her output and appreciate the complexity of her career.
The exhibition's 14 chapters explore the various facets of Hallensleben's work, with a particular focus on her commissioned photography. These assignments were the backbone of her career, providing her livelihood and allowing her to build her own studio, "Lichtbildwerkstatt Ruth Hallensleben," complete with assistants and trainees.
Hallensleben's career trajectory is inextricably linked to the political climate of her time. From the 1930s onward, she worked in Nazi Germany, fulfilling commissions for both businesses and National Socialist organizations. Her work during this period, while artistically compelling, reflected the ideological constraints of the era, fulfilling the specific requests of her clients within the established political framework.
The exhibition highlights Hallensleben's relationships with key clients in the Ruhr region and beyond. Wilhelm Debus, an editor for Das Werk magazine, was a crucial figure in her career, providing her with consistent work both before and after World War II. The exhibition features photos she took for Das Werk and other clients like Bergische Achsenfabrik, Fritz Kotz, Hoppenstedt Verlag, and Siegener AG.
Beyond these industrial landscapes, the exhibition also delves into Hallensleben's work in other sectors. Visitors can see photographs from the Gebr. Lehmann suitcase factory, images documenting the production of Rolleiflex cameras at Franke & Heidecke, and even photographs of members of the National Socialist Women's Association. Her assignments for the armaments industry, including images of bomb production at the Meer machine factory (1941) and the creation of tanks at the Thyssen plant (1943), provide a stark reminder of the era's realities.
The exhibition also showcases Hallensleben's photojournalism (including images of the rebuilding of the Cologne Cathedral), her theatrical work, product photography for advertisements and catalogs, travel photography, and images she personally selected for exhibitions.
A catalog, "Commissioned Images. Photographs by Ruth Hallensleben 1931–1973," accompanies the exhibition, offering further insights into her work. A conference, which took place in May 2025, brought together experts to discuss Hallensleben's photography within the context of collections, politics, and women's studies, further cementing her place in photographic history. This exhibition is a unique opportunity to explore the work of a talented photographer and gain a deeper understanding of 20th-century Germany.
