Following the completion of her studies at the Bavarian State Institute for Photography in Munich, Hedda obtained voluntary work in the studio of Adolf Lazi (1884-1955) in Stuttgart, from September 1931 to August 1932. Paid jobs were difficult to find during the Depression years, especially for young graduates. The studio produced mainly architectural, portrait, landscape and advertising photography. Adolf Lazi's photographs reflect an interest in 'new realist' close-up views and extreme vantage points, were typical of commercial studio work at the time.

At the end of that year, Adolf Lazi wrote the following of Hedda in a reference: '[her] professional skills have been greatly consolidated during the year of practical experience and excellent achievements can be expected of her in the profession. Unfortunately economic conditions preclude us from employing her on a salaried basis'.

This image was taken in Stuttgart, Germany, by Adolf Lazi, 1947. After Adolf Lazi's death in 1955, the Lazi Studio/Lazi Academy was managed by Adolf Lazi's wife, Eta Lazi, and later by his son, Adolf Ingo Lazi. In 1987, the Lazi Studio/Lazi Academy/Adolf Lazi Archive was moved to Schloesslesweg 48-50, D 73732 Esslingen.

Willi Baumeister [1889-1955] was an influencial artist in the abstract movement.

Photograph, 'Portrait of Willi Baumeister', black and white, silver gelatin print, by Adolf Lazi, Stuttgart, Germany, 1947.

This image is a close-up portrait of Willi Baumeister, an artist from Stuttgart, Germany. He is facing the camera, wearing glasses and holding his right hand to his glasses frame with a pencil between his fingers. Typed on paper and adhered to the back of the photograph is the text: '1947 A. Lazi Portraiture Willi Baumeister, painter, Stuttgart'.

Photographed: 1947

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1947

390 mm

290 mm