From 26 June to 20 September 2026, the Leica Gallery, Wetzlar will be hosting a special exhibition titled “Personal Perspectives”. It will celebrate its history while also honouring the significance of Leica Galleries worldwide. A collaboration with Leica gallerists around the world has resulted in an exciting and varied exhibition. It contains numerous classics that will be presented alongside many new discoveries, and reflects the company’s cultural work.
When Leica opened the first Gallery in Wetzlar 50 years ago, they laid the foundation for the company’s cultural commitment. It’s a successful concept that continues to this day. In April 1976, the first exhibition was opened in what was then the Leica administration building. Over the following decades, further locations have been established around the world, from New York City, to Prague, to Frankfurt and Tokyo.
A milestone
In 2008, a significant milestone was reached when the Leica Gallery Salzburg was opened by Karin Rehn-Kaufmann. She was subsequently appointed General Representative of Leica Galleries International, which led to the rapid expansion of the global network, now comprising 27 venues. And the trend is set to continue, with a Leica Gallery due to open in Shanghai later this year.
The chance to see photographic exhibitions, whether in galleries or museums, was not the norm 50 years ago. It is clear that Leica showed great foresight. Today, Leica galleries are visible ambassadors for the shared aim of making photography — as an art form, a historical record and a social voice — tangible and available to people around the globe.
150 exhibitions a year
The galleries present around 150 exhibitions each year. They have successfully managed to balance showcasing both contemporary photography and the iconic works of the past. They are places to encounter, reflect, and interact between photographers and the viewing public.
Leica galleries offer a space to present visual storytelling that explores historical, political and social issues, and encourages wide-ranging discussions. For half a century now, the venues have stood for photographic excellence and the diversity of the medium: a perfect reason for Leica Camera AG to celebrate these five decades.
Emotional connection and meeting points
“Leica Galleries are much more than simple exhibition spaces; they are emotional meeting points. These are places where photography is not only shown, but experienced; spaces where stories become visible; where different perspectives come together; and where Leica values – precision, authenticity, humanity – are tangible”, says Rehn-Kaufmann.
“It is precisely in this increasingly digital and fast-paced world that these physical places become invaluable. Leica galleries provide the possibility for a direct interaction between the artists and the general public, foster dialogue and inspiration, and give photography a stage that touches and resonates. They combine technology with emotions, handicraft with approach, and provide real cultural relevance.”
Personal perspectives
“Personal perspectives” was launched around a year ago with a call for current gallerists to select their favourite images. The diversity of the photography that has been on display ensured great variety in the proposals, with the classics holding their own, alongside newer voices. The scope of this exhibition includes such greats as Werner Bischof, Elliott Erwitt, Gianni Berengo Gardin, Thomas Hoepker, Bruce Gilden, Barbara Klemm, Ralph Gibson and Joel Meyerowitz.
Classic photo-journalistic approaches are well represented, as are free, artistic works — from portraiture to reportage; and, of course, the street photography genre, which is linked to Leica like few others.
There is the opportunity to revisit the works of past Leica Oskar Barnack Award winners, as well as discover newer photographic approaches that engage in surprising dialogues with the classics, as demonstrated by the works of Franziska Stünkel, Lys Arango and M’hammed Kilito. And so, the jubilee exhibition at the Leica Gallery Wetzlar presents history and stories — from personal perspectives and with in-depth expertise.
A 50-year chapter
The current “Personal Perspectives” display in Wetzlar underlines the impressive selection available to Leica Galleries. For 50 years, they have been shaping an exciting chapter dealing with perception of photography — not just within the world of Leica, but also in connection with the international photographic scene.
A who’s who of photographic greats on display
Lys Arango | Ragnar Axelsson | Nomi Baumgartl | Werner Bischof | Fulvio Bugani | Alejandro Cegarra | Mark Cohen | Karel Cudlin | Jesse Diamond | Stephane Duroy | Elliott Erwitt | Ismail Ferdous | Gianni Berengo Gardin | Ralph Gibson | Bruce Gilden | Joe Greer | Ara Güler | Todd Hido | Thomas Hoepker | Claude Iverne | Svet Jacqueline | M’hammed Kilito | Barbara Klemm | JP Laffont | Luvia Lazo |
Dolores Marat | Yael Martínez | Rania Matar | Steve McCurry | Joel Meyerowitz | Indra Moonen | Suzan Pektas | Phil Penman | Neal Preston | José Sarmento Matos | Jürgen Schadeberg | Emanuele Scorcelletti | Nichole Sobecki | Viktoria Sorochinski | Daniel Sperl | Henrike Stahl | Franziska Stünkel | Mikiya Takimoto | Kevin v. Ton | Alberto Venzago | Alex Webb | Donata Wenders | Melanie Wenger | Herbie Yamaguchi | Kit Young|
“My hope is that Leica Galleries will continue to be places that touch people, encourage reflection and offer inspiration. Places where photography is not only viewed but also felt. If they can retain this emotional power, they will remain a vibrant part of cultural life over the coming decades — serving as a guiding light, a meeting place and a source of new visions,” Rehn-Kaufmann concludes.
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Some very good images in this article which shows the variety of photography shown in the Leica Galleries, of which I knew little prior to reading this. Thanks Jon.
Jon – thanks for a great overview of Leica Galleries, I had not realized before reading your article how extensive and long-lasting this effort has been. It is also good to be reminded again of the impact of the brand, and the photographers who have and continue to use Leicas, on culture, journalism and our general understanding of the world. Like many other readers, that heritage has been the bigger set source of my fascination with and loyalty to Leica.
I need to make a bigger effort to check out the exhibits at the NYC gallery. Your article is a very good prompt for me to do so. Thanks again.
Thanks Ed,
There’s so much good work out there that it can often get drowned out by the noise and self-importance of social media.
Exhibition openings are a great way to meet photographers and get a read on where their ideas come from. It can be very inspiring.
Cheers!
Jon
Thank you Jon for a good history of the development of Leica Galleries, which is a fantastic initiative by Leica.
I always try and visit the London Gallery when in Town and whilst not the largest this seems to have the benefit of ensuring the quality of images displayed. Managing the current number of Galleries must be quite challenging, so all thanks to Karin Rehn-Kaufmann and her team.
Thanks Keith,
We have to keep reminding ourselves that it’s not the kit, per se, but what we can accomplish with it. There are a few new exhibition announcements coming up shortly.
Cheers!
Jon