The IAP and its collections

Like many institutions and departments of TU Dresden, the Institute of Applied Physics houses extensive collections of historical objects. Together they open up a unique panorama both of the early history of photography and of scientific photography as an important field of research and teaching.

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News [German only]

Ausstellungsansicht_Tableau Oktogon_Foto Jens Ziehe

Oct 24, 2024

Objects from the collections of the Institute of Applied Physics on view at the HfBK Dresden: Exhibition "DEPTH AND SURFACE. Scientific Tableaux in Dialogue with Olaf Holzapfel " (September 27th to December 1st, 2024)

Dec 12, 2023

Das Institut für Angewandte Physik übernimmt Teile des Nachlasses von Dr. Irene Schmidt

Ein Ausschnitt aus Hermann Krones Lehrtafel 66 zur Astronomischen Fotografie

Oct 24, 2023

14. Dezember 2023: "Sammlung über Mittag" in den fotohistorischen Sammlungen des Instituts für Angewandte Physik

The Collections

Krone-Lehrtafel „Die Photographie im Dienste der Naturwissenschaft“

Hermann Krone Collection

The Hermann Krone Collection preserves the work of photographer, scientist, university lecturer, and publicist Hermann Krone (1827-1916). In 1907, he donated his “Historisches Lehrmuseum für Photographie” (“Historical Didactic Museum for Photography”) to what was then the Scientific-Photographic Institute of the Technische Hochschule Dresden, today’s Institute of Applied Physics (IAP). This collection counts among the most important sources for the history of early photography in Germany.

Versuchskamera für extrem starke Verkleinerungen nach Emanuel Goldberg 1927

Scientific Photography Collection

In addition to the Hermann Krone Collection, the Institute of Applied Physics also houses a collection of historical photographical devices. As early as 1907, Hermann Krone donated some of the equipment from his studio to the newly founded Scientific-Photographic Institute. Their whereabouts are unknown, but the institute’s first director, Prof Robert Luther, began assembling the current collection shortly afterwards. Under his successors, the collection continued to grow and now counts approximately 700 objects.

Eine Ansicht des Beyer-Baus im Jahr 1924

Historical Collections

The history of today’s Institute of Applied Physics stretches back more than 100 years. Founded as the Scientific-Photographic Institute in 1907, its history is closely intertwined with the political, social and scientific developments of the 20th and 21st centuries. The Historical Collection allows to retrace this journey and its protagonists through historical texts and images.

One Institute - Three Collections

The Institute of Applied Physics houses three of the university’s historical collections. The Hermann Krone Collection contains significant works from the photographic oeuvre of Hermann Krone (1827-1916). The Scientific Photography Collection brings together historical equipment and objects related to the practice, research and teaching of photography. The Historical Collections traces the development of the Institute since 1907 through images and documents.

The Hermann Krone Collection in particular, being one of the most important sources on the early history of photography, has been the focus of various research projects and exhibitions.

Since 2017, the collections are held in the newly constructed Hermann Krone building, where they are housed in dedicated spaces. They regularly open their doors to the public for events and guided tours.

Also of interest

Online Collection

Since 2019, the collections of TU Dresden are documented centrally within the robotron*Daphne database. From basic data and provenance research to conservation processes and loans, this ongoing work gathers extensive information about individual objects in one place. This data is successively published online to become accessible to the public, thus providing a unique treasure trove of information on the rich holdings of TUD. Discover a fascinating selection out of more than a million objects!

Eine Auswahl aus den Sammlungen der TU Dresden

The Office for Academic Heritage, Scientific, and Art Collections at TU Dresden

TU Dresden houses more than 40 individual collections with historical objects, spanning all areas of the university’s research and teaching, from the natural sciences to technology and the fine arts. The Office for Academic Heritage, Scientific, and Art Collections is tasked with the care and protection of this precious legacy. Its team members support the collection managers in their responsibilities, conduct research, and organize events and exhibitions focusing on university collections and academic heritage.

Robert Luther Foundation

Founded in memory of the first director of the Scientific-Photographic Institute – now the Institute of Applied Physics -, the Robert Luther Foundation supports science and research in the field of optoelectronics and photonics conducted at the Faculty of Physics of TU Dresden. It supports research projects, awards research contracts, provides grants and presents prizes for outstanding research work.

Colllection Visits & Reproductions

Collection Visits

Guided tours to the collections can be scheduled upon request. Objects can also be consulted for scientific research.

Reproductions

Reproductions of objects held in the collections, where available, can be requested for research purposes and publication. Please note that processing individual requests may take several weeks.

Please address any requests via email to:
hermann-krone-sammlung@tu-dresden.de

Sammlungsleiterin

Else Schlegel

Collection Curator

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Visiting address:

Institut für Angewandte Physik
Hermann-Krone-Bau
Raum 0.02 (EG) Nöthnitzer Straße 61

01187 Dresden

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work Tel.
fax Fax: +49 351 463-37065

Office hours:

Thursday:: 10:00 - 12:00

and on appointment