Langhans Ateliér, founded in 1876, became an icon of Czech portrait photography. Although the archive of this renowned studio was destroyed in the 1950s, the rediscovery of part of the collection in 1998 and 2000 offers valuable testimony to the lasting significance of the Langhans legacy for both Czech and European culture.
In 1998 and 2000, during preparatory work for the renovation of the Langhans House, two locked cabinets were discovered during structural surveys, containing more than nine thousand glass negatives. These were portraits of notable figures photographed over seventy years at the Langhans Studio.
The Langhans System is a two-volume publication that explores the history of the Langhans Studio, the restoration of the Langhans House, and features a curated selection of iconic portraits from its archive.
In the garden of a house on Vodičkova Street in Prague, Jan Langhans built his first photographic studio in 1880. This marked the beginning not only of a photographic legacy but also of an equally fascinating architectural story.
After 1989, the Langhans House was returned to the descendants of its founder and underwent a sensitive reconstruction, restoring its historic glory. During the renovations, thousands of glass negatives featuring portraits of eminent figures were discovered, breathing new life into the legacy of this photographic institution.
Langhans Gallery, established in 2003 as part of the revitalization of the Langhans House, showcased not only contemporary global photography but also the historical legacy of one of the most significant photographic studios in Bohemia. Its exhibitions and spaces for engaging both professional and public audiences left a profound mark on the Czech cultural scene.
If you are intrigued by the history of the Langhans Studio, don't miss our two-volume book "The Langhans System". The first volume explores the history of the studio, the house, and its architectural restoration. The second volume presents a curated selection of unique portraits of notable figures taken over more than a century of its existence. This publication offers a rare opportunity to dive deep into the world of historical photography and Czech cultural history.
We are delighted to announce that the two-volume publication The Langhans System has been nominated for the Magnesia Litera Award in the category Publisher's Achievement (Litera za nakladatelský čin). Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who contributed to the creation of this book. We are thrilled that it continues to resonate with readers.
