Most comprehensive exhibition of the work of Tuggener

Zürich's Jakob Tuggener is the first photographer to have the honour of an exhibition in the main hall of the city's Fine Arts Museum. Some 450 of his works are on display there until April 9.

Zürich’s Jakob Tuggener is the first photographer to have the honour of an exhibition in the main hall of the city’s Fine Arts Museum. Some 450 of his works are on display there until April 9.

Tuggener, who died in 1988 aged 84, is seen as one of the father figures of modern Swiss photography.

He saw himself as an artist and author, whose favoured, but not sole means of expression was the photograph. The Zürich exhibition recognises this, and includes many of his non-photographic works, ranging from drawings to short silent films.

Tuggener was a major influence on a number of photographers, including Robert Frank.

Tuggener was most prolific in the 1930s through to the 1950s. Thereafter, he lived a hermit-like existence in a Zürich basement.

After his death, legal problems in establishing who owned his works prevented them from being seen by a wider audience.

From staff and wire reports