Focus Gallery: Walter Benjamin and the Edges of Photography

German philosopher Walter Benjamin's engagement with photography through works by Blossfeldt, Moholy-Nagy, Man Ray, and Sander, featuring a rare portrait of Benjamin himself.

Why go

The exhibition includes the only existing print of an iconic 1927 portrait of Benjamin by Germaine Krull, shown in the U.S. for the first time and previously exhibited only twice outside America. It's presented alongside Paul Klee's Angelus Novus, a work Benjamin acquired in 1921 whose interpretation gave it mythical status.

What to expect

A focused installation on Floor 3 featuring photographs by artists Benjamin championed as shaping photography's future, including a rare portrait print and works from The Israel Museum's collection.

Things to know

• Only existing print of Benjamin's most iconic portrait, taken by Germaine Krull in 1927
• First U.S. exhibition of this portrait; previously shown only twice outside the U.S.
• Curated by Gilad Reich, Horace and Grace Goldsmith Curator of Photography at The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
• Presented concurrently with Paul Klee: Other Possible Worlds, featuring Klee's Angelus Novus acquired by Benjamin in 1921
• Works by Karl Blossfeldt, László Moholy-Nagy, Man Ray, and August Sander
• Drawn from The Israel Museum, Jerusalem collection

Plan your visit

Free with museum admission. Located on Floor 3. Open Sunday–Monday and Friday–Saturday 11am–6pm, Thursday 11am–8pm; closed Tuesday–Wednesday.