Bernd & Hilla Becher. History of a Method

Curated by Gabriele Conrath-Scholl, Max Becher e Urs Stahel

23 APRIL – 27 SEPTEMBER 2026

MAST.Galleries - MAST.Foyer

TUESDAY – SUNDAY, 10 AM – 7 PM

FREE ADMISSION

TUESDAY, 2 JUNE, THE MAST.GALLERIES ARE REGULARLY OPEN

Guides are always available for free to to provide further information about the photographs.

Fondazione MAST presents Bernd & Hilla Becher. History of a Method, a major retrospective dedicated to the German artist couple (1931–2007 and 1934–2015 respectively). Important figures in the history of 20th-century photography, the Bechers developed a visual language based on a rigorous methodological approach, and their influence on contemporary photography is still recognizable to this day.

The exhibition is curated by Gabriele Conrath-Scholl, Max Becher and Urs Stahel. For the first time in Europe, it showcases the methodological and thematic breadth of the couple’s oeuvre. On display in the MAST Galleries are more than 350 original black-and-white photographs, as well as an extensive collection of related materials, including drawings, books and posters, to help provide further insights into the complexity and consistency of the Bechers’working method.

With Bernd & Hilla Becher. History of a Method, the public can trace the evolution of a line of artistic research that redefined the canons of photography. The Bechers have influenced generations of artists, helping to create a new visual paradigm. The exhibition was conceived by Die Photographische Sammlung/SK Stiftung Kultur in Cologne in cooperation with the Bernd & Hilla Becher Studio. It was organized by the Fondazione MAST with a new exhibition project realized in a collaborative effort between the two institutions.

The exhibition, History of a Method, is divided into 10 sections, providing an in-depth analysis of the themes and methods underpinning the Bechers’ work.

In dialogue with the exhibition, the MAST.Foyer presents a focus dedicated to the photographers of the Düsseldorf School of Photography, with works from the MAST Collection by Andreas Gursky, Thomas Struth, Thomas Ruff and Tata Ronkholz, shedding light on the legacy and long-lasting relevance of the Bechers’ method through the research of subsequent generations.

Bernd & Hilla Becher. History of a Method: an accessible exhibition

To mark the exhibition, Fondazione MAST is promoting a project dedicated to cultural accessibility, curated by MAD Servizi Culturali in collaboration with La Girobussola APS.The initiative aims to encourage a wider and more inclusive experience of the exhibition, through tools and visiting methods designed specifically for blind and visually impaired visitors. For the project, tactile panels have been created for a selection of works, designed to allow independent exploration thanks to QR codes that link to text guides developed specifically to accompany the tactile reading of the images and explore their content in greater depth.

Guided tours with an accompanying guide are also available, designed to offer a narrative, sensory and participatory experience.

Calendar of accessible guided tours:Sunday 7 June – 10.15 am – Tuesday 23 June – 4.30 pmSunday 28 June – 10.15 am – Tuesday 7 July – 4.30 pm

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutesHow to take part: The tours are free and available by booking.

For information and bookings: info@madserviziculturali.com – +39 348 164 4435