Gundlachs glass plates

OBJECT OF THE MONTH APRIL 2025

Exactly one year ago, our series began with a glass plate from France. To mark this small anniversary, we return to this medium – this time with two very special pieces from our archive: glass plate negatives by F.C. Gundlach depicting his parents. The portraits of Heinrich and Katharina Gundlach are not only family documents but also early examples of his photographic vision. They were taken on glass plates – a process that demands the utmost care: light-sensitive emulsion on glass, heavy cameras, no room for chance. This meticulousness is also reflected in the staging.

Heinrich Gundlach appears in a state of bourgeois austerity: seated in an armchair, glasses in one hand, a newspaper in the other. The visible headlines of the Neue Zeitung suggest a date around 1948/49. His clothing – herringbone jacket, tie – and the sparsely detailed surroundings paint the picture of a serious patriarch.

The portrait of Katharina Gundlach appears softer and almost sacred. The pose – lowered gaze, folded hands – is reminiscent of an image of Mary. In the background, a bouquet of bluebells; on the table are a ceramic vase and a book. A quiet, reverent counterpoint to her father.

These two glass plates offer an intimate glimpse into F.C. Gundlach's origins – and at the same time into his photographic instinct: for attitude, atmosphere and staging.