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English
Background information
"Angela Merkel: An era ends - and with it a unique project worldwide. Between 1991 and 2021, the exceptional politician had herself photographed year after year by Herlinde KOELBL, with only a brief interruption. What did she have to learn, how did she have to change in order to survive politically? How did politics affect her private life? Herlinde KOELBL presents a documentary portrait in words and pictures, like no other 'global leader'. A time travel through the epoch of Angela Merkel - from the first year to its end. The portrait of an extreme physical and psychological transformation as well as the protocol of an extraordinary encounter. The photographic long-term study impressively shows how the traces of power changed Merkel, who at the beginning of the unusual photo ritual was still almost 15 years away from becoming Germany's first female chancellor.
Content
The photo book 'Herlinde Koelbl. Angela Merkel. Portraits 1991-2021' contains the complete series of b/w portraits - against a factual white background, head and body portraits - , taken at each encounter and authentically documenting the astonishing rise of a 37-year-old political outsider to one of the most powerful politicians in the free world. It was not only through the camera lens that the renowned photo artist succeeded in capturing Angela Merkel's humanity; the otherwise extremely reserved politician also answered their questions in an astonishingly open and personal manner.
Additional information
In addition to the usual trade edition of 'Herlinde Koelbl. Angela Merkel. Portraits 1991-2021', a kind of edition of 125 copies (No. 1-125) was published, with the print Angela Merkel, 1994/2018 signed by Herlinde KOELBL.
Press Reviews
"'Herlinde Koelbl. Angela Merkel. Portraits 1991-2021' shows one of the most unusual relationships in modern politics." (freely translated, © The Guardian)
"'Herlinde Koelbl. Angela Merkel. Portraits 1991-2021' presents a unique long-term view of a head of government, a chronology of her life, a yearbook of the face of power. A unique idea... Photographer Herlinde KOELBL unearths incredible treasures of information and moments of candor. She thinks history as it is being made. This long-term series is the visual counterpart to the chancellorship, a symbol of continuity and reliability." (© Süddeutsche Zeitung)
"With Angela Merkel's departure from the chancellorship, photographer Herlinde KOELBL presents the photobook 'Herlinde Koelbl. Angela Merkel. Portraits 1991-2021' presents a three-decade piece of documentary contemporary history... The outgoing chancellor as well as those interested can go on a journey of discovery in the illustrated book." (© dpa)
"'Herlinde Koelbl. Angela Merkel. Portraits 1991-2021' - a book like a life's work." (© ARD Tagesschau)
"'Herlinde Koelbl. Angela Merkel. Portraits 1991-2021' is a time travel through the epoch of Angela Merkel.... This book of photographs contains impressive photos of a seemingly unflappable woman.... A magnificent portrait of an extraordinary woman and an unusually private record at that." (© AD)
"For 30 years, Herlinde KOELBL had an annual portrait date with Angela Merkel, conducting conversations that revealed feelings, fears, and deep insights into the private life of the otherwise introverted exceptional politician. The book 'Herlinde Koelbl. Angela Merkel. Portraits 1991-2021' shows a previously unknown, surprising private side of Angela Merkel." (© Profil)