Switzerland. Swiss Photographers from 1840 until Today by Otto Loetscher.

Exhibition in Autumn 1974 organized by Pro Helvetia in collaboration with the Swiss Foundation for Photography in Zurich. Pro Helvetia?, 1978? Wraps, 147 illustrations by 117 photographers, including Bruno Barbey; Werner Bischof; Ernest Bloch; Edmond-Edouard Boissonnas; Fred Boissonas; Walter Bosshard; René Burri; Hans Fisler; Robert Frank; René Groebli; Johann-Baptiste Isenring; Herbert Matter; Jean Mohr; Gotthard Schuh; Christian Staub; Jakob Tuggener; Christian Vogt; et al. Very good with some curling at open edge. English edition. Summary:

Swiss Photographers from 1840 until Today is an anthology and survey of photography conceived and edited by Swiss author Hugo Loetscher, alongside co-editors Walter Binder and Rosellina Burri-Bischof.

Key Elements of the Work

• Scope and Scale: The volume serves as a comprehensive, retrospective survey of photography across nearly a century and a half. It brings together over 300 images—primarily black-and-white, with selected color plates—representing the work of 117 different photographers.

• The Chronological Evolution: The curated selection traces the medium's technological and stylistic evolution. It journeys from pioneering 19th-century daguerreotypes and early landscape documentations up through mid-20th-century reportage, studio work, and avant-garde art photography.

• Featured Artists: The book showcases a mix of globally renowned figures and vital historical artisans, capturing a wide array of perspectives. Key featured masters include Werner Bischof, René Groebli, Hans Staub, Paul Senn, Gotthard Schuh, and Johann Baptist Isenring.

Narrative Intent

The commentary frames photography not merely as a mechanical tool for recording reality, but as a dynamic lens through which national identity, topography, and social structures were shaped. By organizing this vast timeline, the book maps how these photographers transitioned from inward-looking cultural observers to influential figures on the international photojournalism and fine-art stages.