When Joseph Nicéphore Niépce (1765–1833) succeeded in taking the first ever photograph, the image that he captured was the corner of a ‘building’ seen through a window. From this it can be seen that photography has enjoyed a close relationship with architecture since its inception.

In the beginning, photographic technology was not suited to capture images of people or animals that could move, but stationary buildings offered the perfect subject. In addition, at the end of the nineteenth century, redevelopment of the cities gathered pace, bringing about remarkable changes in the urban landscape and the new technology of photography was widely used to create records of old or newly constructed buildings. From then to the present day, photographs have been taken of new structures were built. Based largely on works from the museum’s collection, this exhibition will feature architectural photographs.

We will start by introducing what kind of architecture has been captured through photography since the invention of the medium and the way in which it is currently expressed by contemporary photographers. Although the subjects are buildings, it is not always possible to actually visit them, some no longer exist and many more are difficult to see. We will present the attraction of these buildings as seen through the eyes of the photographers.