Caption:
Photographenatelier Gebr. Dransfeld, Carl Dransfeld, Chilehaus, architect Fritz Höger, and Sprinkenhof, architects Fritz Höger, Hans and Oskar Gerson, silver gelatine paper, black and white positive process, image size: height: 10.80 cm; width: 7.80 cm, inscribed: recto below the motif: exposed: 2. CHILEHAUS ARCH: FR: HÖGER, U. SPRINKENHOF ARCH: FR: HÖGER - H. U. O. GERSON, architectural photography, profane architecture, The photo studio Gebr. Dransfeld was founded in 1902 by the trained lithographer Carl Dransfeld and his brother, the painter Adolf Dransfeld, in Berlin and moved to Hamburg in 1904. Building director Fritz Schumacher commissioned the Dransfeld brothers to document the public buildings he had constructed since 1909. This prestigious commission established the Dransfeld brothers as leading architectural photographers in 1920s Hamburg. Among the architects for whom the studio worked were Fritz Höger, Martin Elsaesser, Distel & Grubitz or the Gerson brothers. With their photograph of the Chile House designed by Höger, Carl and Adolf Dransfeld created an icon of architectural photography. By creating a strong view from below and using a wide-angle lens, they reinforced the expressionist character of the building's top, thus contributing significantly to the popularity of modern Hamburg brick architecture. (Sven Schumacher)