Emil Lichtenberg b. unknown

The photograph Henkel Factory (Persil) Düsseldorf by Emil Lichtenberg is of the main administration building of the Henkel Factory. Specializing in adhesive technologies, beauty and laundry products, the Henkel company was one of the first to produce a self-acting laundry detergent called Persil, which reduced the need to hand rub clothing when washing. It is likely the photograph was taken after the building was completed, in the early 1900s, as a record not only for the company but of the new modern design. The photograph can be compared to the work of early 20^th century photographer Albert Renger-Patzsch, who was a large proponent of Neue Sachlichkeit or New Objectivity, which was a movement in Germany between WWI and WWII that prized realism in art. In photography, it was referred to as New Vision where photographers wanted to establish photography as a medium separate from painting so they discouraged photographic experimentation. Many of the photographs within this movement are straight views of architecture, the landscape, plants, or industrial manufacturing