Robert Mann Gallery is presenting an exhibition titled 'ringl + pit,' featuring the groundbreaking work of a pioneering photography duo from Germany's Weimar Republic era. The exhibition showcases the experimental art of two women photographers who challenged traditional gender roles and transformed commercial culture through their innovative approach to advertising and portrait photography.

At the height of the Weimar Republic, this artistic duo revolutionized the commercial world dominated by cheerful faces and brightly illustrated pages. They photographed wigs, mannequins, and commercial products in original still-life compositions, drawing inspiration from Berlin's vibrant and avant-garde spirit. Their work transcended traditional advertising by emphasizing touch, texture, and mystery in ways that had never been seen before.

The duo operated under the collaborative name 'ringl + pit,' which were the childhood nicknames of Grete Stern (ringl) and Ellen Auerbach (pit). Both women received their photographic training under Walter Peterhans, a pioneering photography professor at the Bauhaus who emphasized precision, formal clarity, and graphic design principles. This educational foundation would prove instrumental in shaping their distinctive artistic vision.

In 1930, Stern and Auerbach established their Berlin studio under the name ringl + pit, creating a unique blend of avant-garde experimentation, commercial portraiture, and advertising photography. Their work emerged during a period when German women were experiencing increasing social and artistic independence, and their photographs reflected this cultural shift by challenging traditional advertising conventions through striking, surrealist, and meticulously composed images.

The two women worked in close collaboration, alternating roles behind the camera and on set, constantly refining each shot until it achieved perfection. Their collaborative approach was unusual for the time and contributed to their distinctive aesthetic. The studio quickly established itself as one of Germany's most innovative photography businesses, producing sharp and captivating images that combined modernist aesthetics with subversive humor.

Their groundbreaking work gained widespread recognition, winning international awards and appearing in influential publications such as Die Gebrauchsgraphik and Cahiers d'Art. These publications helped establish their reputation as leading figures in the world of experimental photography and commercial art during the early 1930s.

Eventually, the two photographers' paths diverged geographically due to the changing political climate in Germany. Auerbach relocated to New York, while Stern settled in Buenos Aires. Despite being separated by different continents and the demands of building new lives in foreign countries, they maintained their friendship throughout their entire lives, demonstrating the deep personal and professional bond they had formed.

In 1985, decades after their original collaboration, they co-published 'Fotografie ringl + pit,' a carefully designed portfolio that reflected the aesthetic and material choices of their studio work from the early 1930s. This publication served as both a retrospective of their groundbreaking collaboration and a testament to their enduring influence on photography and commercial art.

The 'ringl + pit' exhibition runs from October 23 through December 6, 2025, at Robert Mann Gallery, located at 508 West 26th Street, Suite 9F, New York, NY 10001. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 4pm, and Saturday from 12pm to 5pm. Additional information about the exhibition can be found at www.robertmann.com.