Vienna Photographic Society

The Vienna Photographic Society (German: Photographische Gesellschaft, PhG) is a voluntary association dedicated to the promotion, dissemination and perfection of photography. Founded on 22 March 1861 at the Academy of Sciences in Vienna by Anton Georg Martin, it is described by its own organisation as the oldest society for photography in the German-speaking world, and by French-language sources as the first association of photographers in Austria. Its stated purpose is to foster the art and science of photography and of communication in the broadest sense, together with all related disciplines and techniques, and it brings together personalities from both art and science. The society's roots reach back to around 1840, when friends of photography gathered regularly in Vienna in the studio of the painter and daguerreotypist Fritz Schuh in the Fürstenhof on the Landstraße. This 'Fürstenhof circle' included figures such as Joseph Berres, Andreas Ritter von Ettingshausen, Franz Kratochwilla, Anton Georg Martin, Johann and Joseph Natterer, Joseph Petzval and Peter Friedrich Ritter von Voigtländer. A commemorative plaque at Beatrixgasse 19A in Vienna's third district recalls this group, from which the Photographische Gesellschaft Wien emerged on 22 March 1861. Throughout its history the society has been led by prominent photographic figures. Its presidents have included the photographer and studio owner Johann Bauer (1867–1868); Anton Georg Martin, librarian at the Polytechnic Institute in Vienna and author of the first German-language textbook of photography, the 'Repertorium der Photographie' (1868–1870, honorary president from 1880); Dr. Emil Hornig, secondary-school professor and publisher of the 'Photographische Korrespondenz' (1870–1885, honorary president from 1880); Ottomar von Volkmer of the Military Geographical Institute and later director of the Court and State Printing Office (1885–1901); and Dr. Josef Maria Eder, founder and director of the Graphische Bundes-Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt (1901–1924). Today the PhG continues to operate as a membership organisation. Its members meet regularly for information exchange at the Höhere Graphische Bundes-Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt in Vienna. The society promotes young people in particular and engages with the latest developments in professional photography, maintaining activities and resources relating to its history, a hall of fame, stereoscopy and holography.

The Vienna Photographic Society (Photographische Gesellschaft, PhG) traces its origins to informal gatherings of photography enthusiasts in Vienna around 1840. These meetings took place in the studio of the painter and daguerreotypist Fritz Schuh in the Fürstenhof on the Landstraße. The so-called 'Fürstenhof circle' included Joseph Berres, Andreas Ritter von Ettingshausen, Franz Kratochwilla, Anton Georg Martin, Johann and Joseph Natterer, Joseph Petzval and Peter Friedrich Ritter von Voigtländer. This productive circle of scholars, artists, amateurs and early professionals aimed to practise, promote and perfect the young medium of photography, which fascinated them all. A commemorative plaque at Beatrixgasse 19A in Vienna's third district recalls the group. From this community, the Photographische Gesellschaft Wien was founded on 22 March 1861 at the Academy of Sciences in Vienna by Anton Georg Martin. It is regarded as the oldest society for photography in the German-speaking world and the first association of photographers in Austria. Its purpose was the promotion, dissemination and perfection of photography, and it brought together personalities from art and science. The society's early presidents reflect its close ties to both photographic practice and the scientific and technical institutions of the Habsburg capital. Johann Bauer, a photographer and owner of a well-known studio, served from 1867 to 1868. He was followed by Anton Georg Martin, librarian at the Polytechnic Institute (later the Technical University) in Vienna and author of the first German-language textbook of photography, the 'Repertorium der Photographie'; Martin served from 1868 to 1870 and became honorary president in 1880. Dr. Emil Hornig, a secondary-school professor and owner and publisher of the 'Photographische Korrespondenz' and several specialist books, led the society from 1870 to 1885 and was also made honorary president in 1880. From 1885 to 1901 the presidency was held by Ottomar von Volkmer, a group head at the Military Geographical Institute and, from 1885, an official at the Court and State Printing Office, where he eventually became director; he was also a specialist writer on reproduction techniques. Dr. Josef Maria Eder, founder and director of the Graphische Bundes-Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt, served as president from 1901 to 1924. The society's history is conventionally divided into phases: prehistory (up to 1861), 1861–1895, 1906–1932 and 1956–2004, as presented on its official website. Throughout these periods it continued to function as a meeting point for photographers, scientists and enthusiasts, organising exchanges and promoting technical and artistic development. In the present day, the PhG remains an active voluntary association. Its members meet regularly for information exchange at the Höhere Graphische Bundes-Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt in Vienna. The society states that it promotes young people in particular and the latest developments in professional photography, and it maintains resources and activities relating to its history, a hall of fame, stereoscopy and holography.

• 1901

  Dr. Josef Maria Eder serves as president (1901–1924).

• 1885

  Ottomar von Volkmer serves as president (1885–1901).

• 1870

  Dr. Emil Hornig serves as president (1870–1885); becomes honorary president in 1880.

• 1868

  Anton Georg Martin serves as president (1868–1870); becomes honorary president in 1880.

• 1867

  Johann Bauer serves as president (1867–1868).

• 1861

  Photographische Gesellschaft Wien founded on 22 March at the Academy of Sciences in Vienna by Anton Georg Martin.

• 1840

  Regular gatherings of photography friends begin in Fritz Schuh's studio in the Fürstenhof, Vienna (the 'Fürstenhof circle').

The oldest photographic society in the German-speaking world, uniting artists and scientists to promote photography.

Product categories. Membership association · Photography exhibitions and events · Historical archives · Hall of fame · Stereoscopy and holography resources

1. 1PhG :: Photographische Gesellschaft ::photographische-gesellschaft.at
2. 2PhG :: Photographische Gesellschaft :: Historyphotographische-gesellschaft.at
3. 3PhG :: Photographische Gesellschaft :: Aboutphotographische-gesellschaft.at
4. 4Vienna Photographic Society - Wikidatawikidata.org
5. 5Société photographique de Vienne - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org