Four works: (i) Ailly-sur-somme, F; (ii) Oeuilly-Reims, F; (iii) Bertreville, Deppe, F; (iv) Coolus-Châlons-en-Champagne, F
This series of four silver gelatin prints by Bernd and Hilla Becher exemplifies their iconic typological approach, presenting industrial water towers from various locations across France in their characteristically austere, frontal compositions. Each structure is photographed under overcast light against a neutral sky, stripping away any sense of drama or subjectivity to reveal the subtle architectural variations between the utilitarian forms. The methodical, grid-like presentation invites a comparative study of industrial vernacular architecture, transforming functional structures into subjects of rigorous documentary art.
- Medium
- silver gelatin print
- Location
- Phillips, Salt Lake City, UT
- Spotted At
- Auction House · PhillipsView on map
🔨 Auction Lot
20th Century & Contemporary Art Day Sale
November 10, 2015
Artists in conversation
Ed Ruscha
American · b. 1937
Ruscha's photographic book works such as 'Twentysix Gasoline Stations' employ the same typological serial approach, presenting mundane industrial and commercial structures with deadpan frontal neutrality and systematic repetition that directly parallels the Bechers' grid based methodology.
August Sander
German · b. 1876
Sander's systematic typological documentation of German society through objective, frontal silver gelatin photography shares the Bechers' commitment to neutral lighting, serial classification, and the removal of subjective drama in favor of structural comparison across a defined category of subjects.
Walker Evans
American · b. 1903
Evans photographed vernacular American architecture and industrial structures with the same austere frontality, overcast even lighting, and documentary objectivity seen in this series, treating ordinary built forms as worthy of rigorous photographic attention without sentimentality or embellishment.
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