Frank Horvat at Leica Gallery Wetzlar

Elegance, dynamics and perfection characterise the photography of Frank Horvat (1928-2020). With his unique visual language, he is considered one of the most important photographers of the 20th century. Above all, it was his innovative fashion pictures that made him a trend-setter. The selection of thirty motifs being presented in Wetzlar – taken from the fifties to the seventies – provides convincing insight into the work of the Leica photographer.

His first fashion picture was published at the beginning of the fifties, and the following decades would see the further development and refinement of his inimitable style. Like few others, Horvat managed, early on, to incorporate instances of reportage photography within the context of staged fashion imagery. His experiences as a photojournalist were decisive for his unusual style, which stirred up the rather conventional fashion photography of the time.

Another aspect of his fashion photography was the decision, made early in his career, to work with 35mm. Initially, Horvat’s style of working with a Leica and taking the models out onto the streets was not easy to implement for the editorial offices of the magazines. However, the resulting quality of his unusual picture series quickly earned him acclaim, commissioned assignments, and international appreciation.

“Please don’t smile” was an expression the photographer used frequently during his photo shoots. He was not interested in artificial smiles. Yet, when he plays with perspectives, or questions the roles and relationships of the women and men in his pictures, many viewers do indeed smile!

The exhibition will be on display at Leica Gallery Wetzlar until April 30, 2023.