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The Soul of the City
The Soul of the City
March 26, 2025
Wolfgang Stahr, o.T. (FFM #3865), 2021
“Many of Wolfgang Stahr’s urban scenes are more reminiscent of paintings than photographs. Some, with their large surfaces and precisely placed colour accents, resemble Colour Field paintings, while many others bring to mind the works of de Chirico and Edward Hopper: a spell is cast over the streets by the surreal light of the early hours,” writes art historian and journalist Niklas Maak.
In 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, German photographer Wolfgang Stahr took the somewhat anti-cyclical step of moving from Berlin to Frankfurt. With the keen eye of a newcomer, he set out on long excursions to explore the city, which in his photographs appears mostly deserted. The result is an impressive variety of streetscapes, urban spaces and architectural nuances that provide an intimate sense of the city and present familiar sights in a different light.
Originally from Munich, the photographer (b. 1969) studied at the University of Applied Sciences in Bielefeld, before settling in Berlin for more than two decades. The core focus of his photography are portraits, interiors, and the relationship between people and their surroundings. In addition to frequent publications in international magazines, Stahr’s work has been exhibited in various galleries and institutions. He has also been recognised with awards such as the Grand Prix Européen de la Ville de Vevey.
Katrin UllmannIn 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, German photographer Wolfgang Stahr took the somewhat anti-cyclical step of moving from Berlin to Frankfurt. With the keen eye of a newcomer, he set out on long excursions to explore the city, which in his photographs appears mostly deserted. The result is an impressive variety of streetscapes, urban spaces and architectural nuances that provide an intimate sense of the city and present familiar sights in a different light.
Originally from Munich, the photographer (b. 1969) studied at the University of Applied Sciences in Bielefeld, before settling in Berlin for more than two decades. The core focus of his photography are portraits, interiors, and the relationship between people and their surroundings. In addition to frequent publications in international magazines, Stahr’s work has been exhibited in various galleries and institutions. He has also been recognised with awards such as the Grand Prix Européen de la Ville de Vevey.
Wolfgang Stahr, o.T. (FFM #3865), 2021
Wolfgang Stahr, o.T. (FFM #0838), 2021
Wolfgang Stahr, o.T. (FFM #0699), 2021
Wolfgang Stahr, o.T. (FFM #1392), 2021
Wolfgang Stahr, o.T. (FFM #6696), 2023