BIOGRAPHY
Friederike von Rauch (b. 1967, Freiburg) lives and works in Berlin. Photography lies at the core of her artistic practice. Through a reduced visual language, she explores space, light, material, and atmosphere. Rather than documenting the visible world, her work investigates perception.
Her bodies of work develop over extended periods through sustained engagement with specific places. Monasteries, museums, modern architecture, landscapes, and urban environments are not subjects in the conventional sense but points of departure for artistic investigation. Many projects originate during artist residencies or through access to places that are normally inaccessible to the public. Rather than focusing on architecture itself, her work examines atmosphere and the ways in which space shapes perception.
In recent years, von Rauch has expanded her practice to include film, installation, and collaborative projects. These works increasingly engage with social, cultural, and economic realities while maintaining the same close attention to perception and atmosphere.
Her work has been exhibited internationally at museums, institutions, and galleries, including Haus am Kleistpark (Berlin), Deichtorhallen (Hamburg), Berlinische Galerie, Goethe-Institut (Paris), MARTa Herford, and i8 Gallery (Reykjavík). Her works are held in public and private collections, including the Art Collection of the German Bundestag, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Deutsche Bank Collection, Hess Art Collection, Allreal Photo Collection, and the Visual Arts Archive of the Akademie der Künste, Berlin.
EDUCATION
1992–1997 — Diploma in Industrial Design, Universität der Künste Berlin, Germany
1987–1990 — Apprenticeship in Silversmithing, Kaufbeuren, Germany
GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
2025 — Grant, Burger Collection, Germany
2024 — Grant, Alfred Toepfer Stiftung F.V.S., Germany
2023 — Visual Arts Presentation Grant, Senate Department for Culture, Berlin
2022 — Research Grant, Senate Department for Culture and Europe, Berlin
Neustart Grant for Visual Artists, Stiftung Kunstfonds, Bonn
2021 — EEW ART Award, EEW Group, Germany
2014 — Nomination, German Photo Book Award, In Secret (Sieveking)
2010 — Nomination, Gabriele Münter Prize
2009 — DAM Architectural Book Award, Winner, Neues Museum (Hatje Cantz)
Nomination, German Photo Book Award, Neues Museum (Hatje Cantz)
RESIDENCIES
2026 — Arvo Pärt Centre, Laulasmaa, Estonia
2019 — Potter's House, Mallorca, Spain
2018 — Abbazia di San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice, Italy
2016 — Van Wassenhove House, Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens, Sint-Martens-Latem, Belgium
2015 — Abdij Roosenberg, Waasmunster, Belgium
2014 — Couvent Sainte-Marie de La Tourette, Éveux, France
2010 — Hafnarborg Centre of Culture and Fine Art, Hafnarfjörður, Iceland
2008 — Baer Art Center, Hofsós, Iceland
2007 — deBuren (Flemish-Dutch House), Rotterdam, the Netherlands
2006 — deBuren (Flemish-Dutch House), Brussels, Belgium
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025 — Disruptive Realities, with Stefanie Schweiger, Haus am Kleistpark, Berlin, Germany
2024 — Dunkelschimmer, Galerie Persiehl & Heine, Hamburg, Germany
2022 — Friederike von Rauch, Kunstverein Lippe, Schloss Detmold, Germany
2019 — Insgeheim, Haus am Kleistpark, Berlin, Germany
10 Years Neues Museum, DCA Showroom, Berlin, Germany
2017 — Insgeheim, Goethe-Institut, Paris, France
In Seclusion, ITO Projektraum, Stuttgart, Germany
2016 — Enclosure, Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp, Belgium
Friederike von Rauch, De Garage, Mechelen, Belgium
2015 — Carte Blanche, Kunstverein KunstHaus Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
Nachkriegsmoderne, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Berlin, Germany
2014 — Snid, with Eggert Pétursson, i8 Gallery, Reykjavík, Iceland
2013 — In Secret, Galerie FeldbuschWiesner, Berlin, Germany
Sleeping Beauties, Forum für Fotografie, Cologne, Germany
2012 — Sleeping Beauties, Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp, Belgium
2011 — New Works, Galerie Kunstagenten, Berlin, Germany
2010 — Sites, Hafnarborg Centre of Culture and Fine Art, Hafnarfjörður, Iceland
2009 — Friederike von Rauch, Galerie Kunstagenten, Berlin, Germany
2008 — Brussels, Kabinet van Cultuur, Brussels, Belgium
2007 — 90daysrotterdam, deBuren, Brussels, Belgium
2006 — Brussels, Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp, Belgium
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2026 — Galerie Jochen Hempels Invites, Sammlung Glampe, Leipzig, Germany
Recording the Gaze, Sammlung Hackelsberger, Berlin, Germany
Who Cares?!,Kunstverein Schwetzingen, Schwetzingen, Germany
Rooms/Stages, Helmut Newton Foundation, Berlin, Germany
2025 — Retina, DRJ Art Projects, Berlin, Germany
Disruptive Realities, with Stefanie Schweiger, Kunsthaus Dahlem, Berlin, Germany
Oost west, thuis best, Academie Arendonk, Arendonk, Belgium
Stand der Dinge, KIM, Herzfelde, Germany
What Keeps You Going?, DRJ Art Projects, Berlin, Germany
2024 — Chez Berlin, Museo Internacional del Barroco, Puebla, Mexico
Bright Days Ahead, Galerie Persiehl & Heine, Hamburg, Germany
2023 — Ortstermin 23, Bar Tiergarten, Berlin, Germany
Chez Icke, Kommunale Galerie Berlin, Germany
Century: Idee Bauhaus, Museum Wilhelm Morgner, Soest, Germany (Collection Schroth)
Century: Idee Bauhaus, Dubniczay Palace, Veszprém, Hungary (Collection Schroth)
Mikrokosmos Westberlin, Kommunale Galerie Berlin, Germany
2022 — Art & Nature, Marsano, Berlin, Germany
2021 — TraumA, Triennale Brugge, Bruges, Belgium
Upspace: Multiples and Series, DRJ Art Projects, Berlin, Germany
2020 — Friederike von Rauch, Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp, Belgium
Moderne und Refugium, Georg Kolbe Museum, Berlin, Germany
100xBerlin, Kommunale Galerie Berlin, Germany
2019 — Was vergeht – was bleibt, Collection of the German Bundestag, Berlin, Germany
Hyper, Deichtorhallen Hamburg, Germany
Century: Idee Bauhaus, DRJ Art Projects, Berlin, Germany
Schönheit gegen Gewalt, Werkstattgalerie, Berlin, Germany
2018 — Substance, DRJ Art Projects, Berlin, Germany
Prikkels, Museum Dr. Guislain, Ghent, Belgium
Decade, Dr. Julius | AP, Berlin, Germany
2017 — Dom Hans van der Laan, deSingel, Antwerp, Belgium
Happyland, Scotty Projektraum, Berlin, Germany
Start Up: Multiples and Series, Dr. Julius | AP, Berlin, Germany
Architecture + Abstraction, 68projects, Berlin, Germany
2016 — Formes du Silence, Couvent Sainte-Marie de La Tourette, Éveux, France
Papier!, 68projects, Berlin, Germany
Berlin Raum Radar, Neue West Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Geheimnis, KunstHaus Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
Zeitgeist, CCBB & Goethe-Institut, Brasília, Brazil
Zeitgeist, CCBB & Goethe-Institut, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Accrocharge, Dr. Julius | AP, Berlin, Germany
2015 — In Between, German Embassy, Washington, DC, USA
Radikal Modern, Berlinische Galerie, Berlin, Germany
Zeitgeist, CCBB & Goethe-Institut, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
The Pistil's Waltz, Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp, Belgium
2014 — 10, Halle am Berghain, Berlin, Germany
Traces of Creation, Hafnarborg Centre of Culture and Fine Art, Hafnarfjörður, Iceland
Hoge Horizon Bruegelland, Stedelijk Museum Lier, Lier, Belgium
2013 — Piece of Cake, Format International Photography Festival, Derby, United Kingdom
Present Tense, Future Perfect, Galerie FeldbuschWiesner, Berlin, Germany
2012 — Ashes and Gold, MARTa Herford, Herford, Germany
Ashes and Gold, Museum Schloss Moyland, Bedburg-Hau, Germany
2011 — Insight, Galerie FeldbuschWiesner, Berlin, Germany
Erfundene Künstler, Kunstverein Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Architektur + Fotografie, Architektur Galerie Berlin, Germany
Water, Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp, Belgium
2010 — Neue Werke, Kommunale Galerie Berlin, Germany
Gabriele Münter Prize, Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin, Germany
Gabriele Münter Prize, Frauenmuseum, Bonn, Germany
2008 — Interiors, Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp, Belgium
Festival Voies Off, Rencontres d'Arles, Arles, France
51 Celebrates, Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp, Belgium
2006 — 90daysbrussels, deBuren, Brussels, Belgium
Golab Grande Show, Monat der Fotografie, Berlin, Germany
Été de la Photographie, Bozar, Brussels, Belgium
Talking Cities, Zeche Zollverein, Essen, Germany
2005 — White on White, Liike Galerie, Berlin, Germany
2002 — KunstWinter-Berlin, Kunstwelt e.V., Berlin, Germany
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS & ARCHIVES
Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Art Collection of the German Bundestag, Berlin, Germany
Art Collection of the Bundesrat, Berlin, Germany
Deutsche Bank Collection, Germany
Allreal Photo Collection, Switzerland
EEW Art Collection, Germany
Collection of Deutsche Oper Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Art Collection of Investitionsbank Berlin, Germany
Hess Art Collection, Switzerland
Wienerberger Photo Collection, Austria
SpallArt Collection, Austria
Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany
Hafnarborg Centre of Culture and Fine Art, Hafnarfjörður, Iceland
Collection of the Dutch Royal House, the Netherlands deBuren, Brussels, Belgium
Numerous private collections worldwide
Disruptive Realities, with Stefanie Schweiger, Visual Arts Archive, Akademie der Künste, Berlin, Germany
LECTURES & TEACHING
2022–2025 — Visiting Lecturer, University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
(Fachhochschule Potsdam)
2025 — Guest Lecturer, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
2024 — Guest Lecturer, AA Visiting School, Neuendorf House, Mallorca, Spain
2022 — Guest Lecturer, "Atmospheric Dimensions in the Photography of Space", Die Hegge, Willebadessen, Germany
2010 — Guest Lecturer, Iceland University of the Arts, Reykjavík, Iceland
2010 — Guest Lecturer, Hafnarborg Centre of Culture and Fine Art, Hafnarfjörður, Iceland 2009 — Guest Lecturer, Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
2009 — Guest Lecturer, Heinle, Wischer und Partner, Berlin, Germany
ART FAIRS
2025 — Art Brussels, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Brussels, Belgium
2022 — Paris Photo, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Paris, France
2021 — Paris Photo, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Paris, France
2019 — Paris Photo, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Paris, France
2018 — Paris Photo, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Paris, France
2017 — Paris Photo, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Paris, France
Photo London, Gallery FIFTY ONE, London, United Kingdom
2016 — Paris Photo, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Paris, France
Photo London, Gallery FIFTY ONE, London, United Kingdom
2015 — Paris Photo, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Paris, France
Photo London, Gallery FIFTY ONE, London, United Kingdom
Art Brussels, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Brussels, Belgium
2014 — Paris Photo, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Paris, France
Unseen Amsterdam, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Art Brussels, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Brussels, Belgium
Art Paris, La Galerie Particulière, Paris, France
Art Rotterdam, Galerie FeldbuschWiesner, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
2013 — Paris Photo, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Paris, France
Paris Photo, Galerie FeldbuschWiesner, Paris, France
SP-Arte, Galerie FeldbuschWiesner, São Paulo, Brazil
Art Brussels, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Brussels, Belgium
2012 — Paris Photo, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Paris, France
Paris Photo, Galerie FeldbuschWiesner, Paris, France
Fotofever, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Paris, France
Viennafair, Galerie FeldbuschWiesner, Vienna, Austria
2011 — Viennafair, Galerie Kunstagenten, Vienna, Austria
2010 — Art Brussels, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Brussels, Belgium
Viennafair, Galerie Kunstagenten, Vienna, Austria
2009 — Paris Photo, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Paris, France
Art Brussels, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Brussels, Belgium
Photo Madrid, Galerie Kunstagenten, Madrid, Spain
2007 — Art Cologne, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Cologne, Germany
Paris Photo, Gallery FIFTY ONE, Paris, France
ARTWORK FEATURED IN FILM
2018 — The Girl in the Spider's Web, directed by Fede Álvarez
2015 — Homeland (Season 5), Showtime
2014 — A Most Wanted Man, directed by Anton Corbijn
2010 — The Ghost Writer, directed by Roman Polanski
2004 — The Bourne Supremacy, directed by Paul Greengrass
ALBUM ARTWORK
2017 — Rauch, A-Ton
2013 — Dettmann II, Ostgut Ton
2010 — Dettmann, Ostgut Ton
SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY (Location Scout)
2009 — The International, directed by Tom Tykwer, Sony Pictures
Mr. Nobody, directed by Jaco Van Dormael, Pan Européenne Production
Pandorum, directed by Christian Alvart, Constantin Film
Desert Flower, directed by Sherry Hormann, Desert Flower Filmproduktion
2008 — The Reader, directed by Stephen Daldry, The Weinstein Company
Speed Racer, directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski, Warner Bros. Pictures
2005 — V for Vendetta, directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski, Warner Bros. Pictures
Flightplan, directed by Robert Schwentke, Touchstone Pictures
2004 — The Bourne Supremacy, directed by Paul Greengrass, Universal Pictures
Beyond the Sea, directed by Kevin Spacey, Quality International
Around the World in 80 Days, directed by Frank Coraci, Walden Media
2002 — Equilibrium, directed by Kurt Wimmer, Miramax Films
2001 — Enemy at the Gates, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, Mandalay Pictures
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
2023–Present — Volunteer, Berliner Tafel Distribution Center, Berlin, Germany
2022–Present — Member, Cultural Advisory Board, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Berlin, Germany
Friederike von Rauch has developed a subtle and highly distinctive visual language rooted in a concentrated working process. Her photographic minimalism, defined by radical reduction and the absence of narrative, evokes a sense of stillness and timelessness. With context largely withheld, each image invites close attention while standing on its own. Together, the works reveal aspects of reality that often remain unnoticed, shaping perception through their quiet intensity.
— Andres Lepik