Wasserturm Kirkhamgate, 1974

Bernd (b. 1931, Germany, d. 2007, Germany) and Hilla Becher (b. 1934, Germany, d. 2015, Germany) were a pioneering duo in the world of conceptual art, best known for their collaborative work in photography. Meeting through a shared passion for the medium, the Bechers created a lasting legacy by documenting Germany's industrial architecture. Their work is celebrated for its methodical approach, capturing iconic structures such as water towers and coal bunkers in stark black-and-white, which highlighted the contrasts and geometric forms of these edifices. The timing of their work was crucial, as they photographed many industrial landmarks that were soon to disappear during the West German economic miracle. As members of the conceptual art movement, the Bechers’ oeuvre remains influential, with notable works like Cruel and Tender becoming legendary. Their collaborative efforts defy the norm of individual artistic recognition, instead solidifying their place in art history as a unified creative force.