Gisèle Freund and the 1st of May 1932

January 7, 2015

From January 12 to May 3, 2015, the Historic Museum Frankfurt/Main is presenting the exhibition Gisèle Freund – 1st of May 1932.
Giséle Freund, who was a politically engaged student doing research at the Institut für Sozialforschung near Karl Mannheim, was in Frankfurt am Main with her Leica camera on May 1, 1932, when the workers' movement, together with left-wing parties and student groups, protested against the National Socialists (Nazis). These early photographs can be seen at the Historic Museum Frankfurt from January 12 to May 3.

A unique witness to history
Through the lens of Freund's camera, the viewer is at the same eye level as the demonstrators, watching the different left-wing demonstrators marching through Frankfurt with protest signs and flags. The right-wing participants – including members of the student corps – are demonstrating under police protection.

At the Opernplatz and at Römerberg, the photographer focusses on the political speakers and on the masses of listeners. Proving her photographic eye for scenes and stories, Freund's pictures are a unique historic testimonial, which – after she fled to Paris – made her into one of the most important photographers of the 20th century.

Further information at: Historisches Museum Frankfurt
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Gisèle Freund and the 1st of May 1932