“Im Licht. Durchs Licht. Zum Licht.” Those words encapsulate the life and work of Hermann Krone, a luminary in the world of photography. Now, before us stands the Hermann-Krone-Bau. It is a testament to his enduring legacy here at the Technische Universit\u00e4t Dresden.
Hermann Krone wasn’t just a photographer. He was a scientist, a professor, and a pioneer. Born in Breslau in 1827, Krone’s journey with photography began with experimentation. He even built his own camera while studying at the University of Breslau.
He moved to Dresden. Krone established a photography studio and teaching institute in 1853. His series of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains marked the dawn of landscape photography in Saxony. His lens captured the beauty of Saxon Switzerland and even ventured into Bohemia.
Krone’s impact extended beyond artistic photography. He contributed significantly to cave research. In 1856, he created some of the world’s earliest cave photographs in Saxon Switzerland. He shared his insights on cave formations. He even had a cave named after him: the Krone Cave.
He embraced early photographic techniques. Krone worked with daguerreotypes and calotypes. Later, he used industrially produced materials. From 1870 to 1907, he lectured on photography at the Polytechnikum Dresden. He became a professor in 1895.
To aid his teaching, Krone built an extensive collection of photographs. These showcased diverse processes. This collection became the Historical Didactic Museum of Photography. In 1907, he donated it to the Scientific-Photographic Institute. Today, it’s part of the Institute of Applied Physics at TU Dresden.
In 1874, Krone embarked on an expedition with his son. They observed the transit of Venus from the Auckland Islands. He documented their journey in a report titled “Father and Son on a Trip Around the World.”
The Hermann-Krone-Bau, established in 2017, now houses the Institute of Applied Photophysics. It also safeguards the Hermann Krone Collection. This building serves as a modern center for photographic research. It also preserves Krone’s invaluable historical contributions.
His collection contains around 1,200 photographs. These photographs were produced using various processes. It also holds daguerreotypes. Plus, around 900 glass negatives and diapositives are preserved here.
As you stand here, consider the profound impact of Hermann Krone. He captured light. He advanced scientific understanding. He inspired generations. The Hermann-Krone-Bau is not just a building. It is a beacon. It illuminates the path for future pioneers in photography and science.