Friedrich Seidenstücker (1882–1966) was a German photographer known for his atmospheric documentation of everyday life in Berlin during the Weimar Republic. Originally trained as a mechanical engineer and later a sculptor, he moved to Berlin in 1904 where he began devoting himself to photography. He became a prominent chronicler of urban scenes, children playing in streets, railway stations, and zoo animals. His work is characterized by a sense of humor and an ability to capture the 'flaneur' perspective of the city. After World War II, he continued his work, notably capturing images of the destroyed ruins of Berlin. His archive was rediscovered in 1971 and has since been recognized as a significant contribution to German street photography.[1,2,3]
Von Weimar bis zum Ende. Fotografien aus bewegter Zeit1980 · Harenberg Verlag · book · GermanISBN 3883791814First single publication of his work; published in Dortmund.
Das Berliner Zoo-Album1984 · Nicolai · book · GermanCo-authored with Werner Kourist.
Von Tieren und von Menschen1986 · Nishen Verlag · book · GermanEdited by Werner Kourist.
Exhibitions
2011Friedrich Seidenstücker. Von Nilpferden und anderen MenschenBerlinische Galerie, Berlinsolo
2023Friedrich Seidenstücker. Leben in der StadtPinakothek der Moderne, Munichsolo
