Traces of Reality – 200 Years of Photography from the Collections of the Museums of the City of Linz

What's it about?

The exhibition brings together selected works, supplemented by historical camera technology from the collections of Lentos and Nordico: starting with the first photographic methods in the 19th century, through darkroom experiments of classical modernism, to contemporary works that utilize new digital processes. In 1826, the French inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce succeeded in permanently capturing the view from his study on a coated tin plate. This event is now considered one of the birthplaces of photography. Since then, the medium has not only changed our view of the world but has also profoundly shaped the image production and working methods of artists. On the occasion of this round anniversary, the exhibition focuses on the technical processes and material peculiarities of the medium. At the center is the question of what characterizes photography as a means of artistic expression, beyond its documentary dimension. Opening: Thursday, May 28, 2026, 7:00 PM In August, families can visit Lentos with free admission.