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Marco Bischof, Werner Bischof Estate
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26.04.1916
Born on 26 April in Zurich, Switzerland. Childhood in Zurich, Kilchberg and Waldshut (Germany). His father is director of a pharmaceuticals factory and a keen amateur photographer. His mother dies prematurely in 1931.
1932
Enrolls at the Kunstgewerbeschule Zürich (Zurich School of Applied Arts) where he studies in Hans Finsler’s (Professor from the Bauhaus movement) newly established photography class, graduating in 1936.
1936
Opens “Fotografik” studio in Zurich. Works for advertising agency Amstutz & Herdeg. Receives a commission for the 1939 Swiss National Exhibition.
1939
Goes to Paris, France to become a painter but returns to Switzerland when the Second World War breaks out. Spends over two years doing military service.
1942
Photographer for the cultural monthly magazine Du under the legendary editor-in-chief Arnold Kübler. Publication of studio works: fashion, advertising, abstract photos. First major photo essays from 1943. Member of the Allianz group of artists.
1945
Begins a photographic documentation of post-war Europe commissioned by Swiss Relief (a suborganisation of the Red Cross): Southern Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland. Starts using color.
1946
Travels in Germany, Italy and Greece. Meets his future wife Rosellina Mandel in Milan. Publishes his portfolio “24 Photos”.
1947
Travels to Hungary and Romania.
1948
Travels to Czechoslovakia, Poland, Finland and Norway. Completes photographic documentation of post-war Europe.
1949
Becomes a member of Magnum Photos (Paris & New York). Travels in Germany, Italy, Great Britain and France. Works for Picture Post, Illustrated, Observer, Life, Epoca and Du. Marries Rosellina Mandel.
1950
Designs the book “Mutter und Kind” for Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund (Swiss grocery distributor). Further travels in Europe, including Iceland. Birth of his first son Marco.
1951
Spends six months in India. His report on the famine in Bihar province for Life (American photo magazine) brings international recognition. Visits Sikkim. Goes for one year to Japan. While there, makes short trips to Korea and Okinawa.
1952
In Tokyo with Rosellina, working for Life magazine. Travels via Hong Kong to Indochina (Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia) for three months as war correspondent for Paris Match (French photo magazine), returning via India and Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
1953
Back in Zürich, selects Asia photos for an exhibition and publication “Menschen im Fernen Osten”. Plans an extended journey through South America. Sails for New York. Spends four months documenting new highways in various US states.
1954
Drives from New York to Mexico City with Rosellina, then continues alone. Flies to Panama, Santiago de Chile and Lima reporting for Magnum Photos.
16.05.1954
On 16th of May Werner Bischof (38) is killed when his vehicle plunges into a ravine in the Peruvian Andes. Nine days later his second son Daniel is born in Zurich.
Werner Bischof Estate
Am Wasser 55
CH-8049 Zurich
Switzerland
info@wernerbischof.com