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A Berlin Original
A Berlin Original
Robert Lebeck
May 21, 2026
Robert Lebeck: Romy Schneider on a filming break, Berlin 1976
© Robert Lebeck Archive
Berlin native Robert Lebeck (1929 – 2014) was one of the central figures of photojournalism in post-war Germany. At a time when the country was redefining itself and world politics were in flux, he developed a visual language that went beyond mere documentation: his images told stories. A self-taught photographer, Lebeck started out as a photojournalist for various newspapers and magazines in 1952, and went on to become a regular contributor to Stern magazine for more than three decades. Characterised by empathy and curiosity, his work embodied the collective visual memory of the young Federal Republic.
With Berliner Originale and BerlinDiscoveries, the f³ – Freiraum für Fotografie launches a new exhibition format comprised of two parallel showcases – one featuring works by a renowned photographer, the other introducing emerging new talents. The aim is to highlight the diversity of photographic positions within Germany’s capital city. BerlinDiscoveries consists of four consecutive presentations (each lasting one week), featuring jury-selected series or cohesive bodies of work from the fields of documentary, portrait, conceptual and experimental photography.
Katrin UllmannWith Berliner Originale and BerlinDiscoveries, the f³ – Freiraum für Fotografie launches a new exhibition format comprised of two parallel showcases – one featuring works by a renowned photographer, the other introducing emerging new talents. The aim is to highlight the diversity of photographic positions within Germany’s capital city. BerlinDiscoveries consists of four consecutive presentations (each lasting one week), featuring jury-selected series or cohesive bodies of work from the fields of documentary, portrait, conceptual and experimental photography.
ALL IMAGES ON THIS PAGE: © Robert Lebeck
Robert Lebeck+-
Robert Lebeck was born in Berlin of June 21, 1929. After serving in the war and being taken prisoner, studying and spending time in the USA, he began working as a free-lance photo reporter in the fifties. From 1955 to 1960 he worked for Revue, then moved to Hamburg in 1960 where he worked initially for Kristall. From 1966 to 1995 be was employed full-time as a photo journalist for Stern.
Lebeck has had numerous exhibition and received many awards, including the German Photography Association’s Dr. Erich Salomon Prize in 1991, and the Henri Nannen Award for his life’s work in 2007. The photographer passed away in Berlin on June 14, 2014. More
Robert Lebeck: Romy Schneider on a filming break, Berlin 1976
© Robert Lebeck Archive
Robert Lebeck: Jackie Kennedy and Lee Radziwill in front of Robert Kennedy’s casket, New York 1968 © Robert Lebeck Archive
Robert Lebeck: Willy Brandt in a dining car on the campaign trail, Southern Germany 1973 © Robert Lebeck Archive
Robert Lebeck, St. Pauli Piers, Hamburg 1963
© Robert Lebeck Archive
Robert Lebeck, Alfred Hitchcock in the Old Elbe Tunnel, Hamburg 1960
© Robert Lebeck Archive