Research Fellowship

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Research Fellowship – Stiftung Ann und Jürgen Wilde (2025–2027)

Location: Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich, Germany
Application Deadline: May 26, 2025
Fellowship Duration: 24 months | €2,600/month + travel & equipment suppor

The Stiftung Ann und Jürgen Wilde, in collaboration with the Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, invites applications for a two-year research fellowship focused on the scholarly investigation of the gallery and collecting activities of Ann and Jürgen Wilde—key figures in the recognition and promotion of 20th-century photography as an art form.

The fellowship is aimed at researchers specializing in the history of photography of the 20th and 21st centuries, and supports work related to the extensive archives and legacy of the Wilde Foundation.

About the Stiftung Ann und Jürgen Wilde

Since 2010, the foundation has been affiliated with the Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, housing a significant collection of modern and contemporary photography, a specialized library, and the artist archives of Karl Blossfeldt and Albert Renger-Patzsch.

Ann and Jürgen Wilde played a crucial role in advancing photography as a legitimate art form through exhibitions, collecting, and scholarship. Their gallery in Cologne (1972–1985) was among the first in Europe dedicated exclusively to photography, presenting both historical avant-garde artists and contemporary practitioners.

Fellowship Focus
The selected fellow will explore the Wilde archives with particular attention to:

The couple’s advocacy for forgotten photographers of the avant-garde and classical modernism, such as Karl Blossfeldt and Germaine Krull

The historical and curatorial strategies they employed to connect past photographic practices with contemporary art

Their broader contribution to photography and art historiography in post-war Europe

Inclusion of Ann and Jürgen Wilde themselves as subjects of the research is encouraged. The fellowship will culminate in a publication of the findings.

Fellowship Details

Duration: 2 years (24 months)
Monthly stipend: €2,600
Additional support: Travel and equipment costs covered as needed
No residency requirement
Eligibility Criteria
Completed MA or equivalent in Art History, Cultural Studies, History of Photography, or a related field
Demonstrated expertise in art historical research methods
Prior independent research experience
Familiarity with the Wilde Foundation’s focus and archives is an asset
How to Apply

Submit your application by May 26, 2025, including:

Cover letter
Curriculum vitae
Copies of relevant academic degrees
Project and publications list (if applicable)
Names and contact details of potential referees (letters of recommendation not required at this stage)

Send applications to:
Stiftung Ann und Jürgen Wilde
Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen
Richard-Wagner-Straße 1
80333 Munich, Germany

For inquiries, contact:
Dr. Simone Förster
simone.foerster@pinakothek.de