by Mark G. Sullivan

Created on: February 11, 2010

Bold and contrasting style, fascination with surreal juxtapositions of ruins and everyday objects. One of Germany's leading portraitists. This is just one writer's opinion of Herbert List's photographs.

List, born in Hamburg Germany in 1903 was to become one of that countries famous photographers. In his years as a teenager, much of his education involved studying art and literature. In 1923, after his studies were completed, Herbert joined the family's coffee importing business.

Now, given the ability to travel throughout Central and South America, Herbert List became fascinated with photography. His friendship with Andreas Feininger, who later in life would become famous for his black and white photographs of New York, had a profound effect on Herbert. As a result of this association, he too became a professional photographer.

It seems Russian photographer George Hoyningen-Huene also influenced Herbert. In 1937, they traveled to Greece and while there, List developed a style that was considered bold. He continued to press on with new ideas such as double exposures and presenting the world with photos of nude males.

Herbert List was still in Greece when the German army invaded the country in 1941. Because of his countries action he was forced to return home and join the army. It seems his talent of taking photographs was of little interest to those in charge. Instead, during the later years of the war while stationed in Norway his time was spent creating military maps.

In 1946 while living in Munich, Herbert photographed the ruins of that war-torn city. It was also during this time List became the art editor of HEUTE, an American magazine for the German public.

List's style of photographs continued to bring new opportunities. In 1951 Robert Capa, co-founder of Magnum, convinced Herbert to be a contributor. Where Greece had interested him years earlier, Italy now becomes the heart and soul of his work. List talents bring life to street scenes, architectural views and portraits of fellow artists living in that country.

Two years later Herbert was introduced to the 35mm camera with telephoto lens. Whereas much of his work prior to this time had been carefully staged, now spontaneity brought forth a different personality.

It seems as List aged his interest in photography became less important. During the mid 60’s, after spending forty years creating masterful pictures, his attention was solely on his collection of Italian Old Master Drawings.

Herbert List died in 1975 while in Munich, Germany

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