Artist Index: Hensky, Herbert

Trümmerfrauen in Schönhauser Allee, Berlin. Early 1940s/printed later. Large-format vintage gelatin silver print. 29 x 38,5 cm. Photographer's/agency stamp and estate stamp and annotated in pencil on the verso.

Herbert Hensky was a notable German photographer who emerged as a significant figure in the field during the mid-20th century. Known for his candid and evocative imagery, Hensky documented various facets of German society, ranging from everyday life in post-war Berlin to important political events. – Light fold mark in lower left, a few light handling dents, otherwise in very good condition.

The miner Adolf Hennecke in the former Soviet occupation zone of Germany. 1948. 6 vintage ferrotyped gelatin silver prints. Each circa 18 x 13 cm. Each with photographer's/agency stamp, one annotated in red/blue crayon on the verso.

On October 13, 1948, miner Adolf Hennecke surpassed the required work standard four times in an East German coal mine. This event was orchestrated as a propaganda stunt to promote role models and productivity. Hennecke was rewarded with 1.5 kilograms of the strictly rationed fat, three packs of cigarettes, and a bottle of liquor, and he had the day before and after off. The "Hennecke myth" persisted well into the 1970s in the former GDR, and even longer among older individuals, before gradually fading away. – Some handling creases, most with surface irregularities to ferrotype surface, one slightly buckled, otherwise in good condition.

Reconstruction of Alexanderplatz. 1969/70. Large-format vintage gelatin silver print. 39,6 x 29,5 cm. Photographer's/agency stamp and annotated in pencil on the verso.

Some handling creases/dents, otherwise in very good condition.

Images of post WWII Berlin. 1945/46. 5 vintage ferrotyped gelatin silver prints. Each circa 17 x 24 cm. Each with photographer's stamp and numbers in pencil on the verso.

Some with irregularities to ferrotype surface, some with buckling, a few handling creases, otherwise in good condition.

Children fishing, Berlin. Late 1940s. Vintage large-format gelatin silver print. 49,7 x 36 cm. Photographer's stamp and number in ink on the verso.

A remarkable postwar image of Berlin showing two young boys fishing at the river side, with the massive war ruins reflected in the water. – Some handling marks/creases, backed tear in lower left corner, otherwise in very good condition.

The miner Adolf Hennecke in the former Soviet occupation zone of Germany. 1948. Vintage large-format gelatin silver print. 60 x 50 cm. Photographer's/estate stamp, numbers in red crayon and notations in felt-tip pen on the verso.

On October 13, 1948, miner Adolf Hennecke performed four times the required work standard in an East German coal mine. Basically, it was a well-organized propaganda show to create role models and heroes and to raise work standards. The day before and after he had off. In addition, Hennecke received 1.5 kilograms of the then strictly rationed fat, three packs of cigarettes and a bottle of schnapps. The "Hennecke myth" lasted well into the 1970s in the GDR, and even longer among older people, before fading away completely. – Some handling creases, small loss in lower right corner, a few small tears in edges, otherwise in good condition.

Streetcar platform at night, Berlin. 1960s. Vintage large-format, semi-glossy gelatin silver print. 49,5 x 59,5 cm. Photographer's/estate stamp on the verso.

From 1925-26 Herbert Hensky completed an apprenticeship as a decorative painter and then attended the School of Arts and Crafts in Berlin. From 1926-1938 he worked as a decorative painter's assistant. In 1932-1933 he became a member of the Arbeiterphotographengruppe, Prenzlauer Berg (Workers' Photographers' Group). He began photographing for the Arbeiter Illustrierte Zeitung. Between 1938-1945 he worked as a photographer in Berlin, mainly for the Aviation Ministry. As of 1945 he worked as a photojournalist for newspapers such as Signum and Freie Welt.
– Some handling marks, a few stronger creases in mid area, otherwise in good condition.

"Der Patriarch von Grünau". 1962. Vintage large-format, semi-glossy gelatin silver print. 48,5 x 38,5 cm. Photographer's stamp, titled in ink, numbers in red crayon and notations in felt-tip pen on the verso.

Some handling marks, a few stronger creases in right edge and mid left, a few backed tears in edges, otherwise in good condition.

Photographer: Herbert Hensky (1910-2005). Images of post WWII Berlin. 1945/46. 6 vintage ferrotyped gelatin silver prints. Each circa 17 x 24 cm. Each with photographer's stamp and numbers in pencil on the verso.

Some irregularities to ferrotype surface, some with buckling, a few handling creases, otherwise in good condition.