The Kunstpalast museum in Düsseldorf, Germany has recently acquired a significant press photograph capturing a pivotal moment in international diplomacy during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The official image shows German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during his first visit to Ukraine, documenting a meeting of the "coalition of the willing" where world leaders gathered around a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump in efforts to negotiate a ceasefire.
The photograph, taken on May 10 of this year by Jesco Denzel, the official photographer of the German Federal Government, features Chancellor Merz huddled alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other prominent European leaders. Also captured in the frame are French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The image documents an intense moment during what have been thus far unsuccessful efforts to broker a 30-day ceasefire in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Linda Conze, head of the photography department at the Kunstpalast, explained the significance of acquiring such contemporary historical documents. "By including images like these in art historical collections, you pay respect to its meaning for the visual history of our present," Conze told The Art Newspaper. "The more symbolic the meeting, the more important the images." The museum's decision reflects a broader commitment to preserving visual documentation of significant political moments as they unfold.
The newly acquired photograph is being displayed alongside another historically significant image by the same photographer, creating a compelling comparison spanning seven years of international relations. The companion piece shows former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and G-7 leaders confronting President Trump during a meeting in Canada in 2018, specifically captured during consultations on the sidelines of the official agenda at the G7 summit at the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu Hotel.
Conze elaborated on how these images tell different stories about diplomatic relations and power dynamics. The recent Ukraine photograph, she explains, "tells us something about how the German government wants its stance on the war between Russia and Ukraine to be perceived, as supportive, level-headed, showing Europe standing together on the side of peace." In stark contrast, the 2018 image featuring Merkel has been widely perceived as capturing a power struggle between Europe and the United States, showcasing a very different moment in transatlantic relations.
Together, these photographs serve as more than historical documentation – they function as a masterclass in press photography and its evolution in the digital age. Conze notes that the two images "span a very interesting and frightening seven years of history" and demonstrate "how images become part of narratives of global power relations." This pairing allows visitors to observe how diplomatic photography captures and shapes our understanding of international politics.
The acquisition process itself highlights the rapid transformation of press photography between 2018 and 2025. For the Ukraine photograph, Conze explains, "We acquired the Zelensky photo through the German Federal Government's image agency. They no longer sell prints, only digital files, and then granted permission for us to have a print made here in Düsseldorf." This represents a significant shift from traditional practices, as the Angela Merkel image was acquired differently – the museum "received the print directly from the image agency, and Jesco Denzel had signed it."
Both photographs are now on permanent display at the Kunstpalast, hanging side by side with contemporary artworks in a presentation that emphasizes their artistic as well as historical value. Conze points out that "they fit in well, and their painterly aspect is not by chance." She reveals that "Jesco Denzel slightly alters his images to look even more like paintings. If you look at it closely, it's not the pure image. It kind of gives this aura of historical painting." This artistic treatment elevates the photographs beyond mere documentary evidence to works that bridge journalism and fine art.
Looking beyond these specific acquisitions, Conze and her department are actively working to address broader challenges in photographic preservation. They are collaborating with two other Düsseldorf institutions to preserve and utilize the photo archives of a local newspaper – a project that underscores the precarious state of historical image collections. "If there weren't three institutions in Düsseldorf that were interested in this archive, they would just throw it out," Conze warns, describing the widespread threat to photographic heritage.
The preservation challenge extends far beyond individual archives, reflecting a broader crisis in the digital age. "We think of masses of images, especially in the digital age, but also before that. I think we forget that these masses of images can be lost very easily," Conze observes. "It's really not clear how many of them will still be there in a hundred years." This sobering reality makes the Kunstpalast's commitment to acquiring and preserving significant press photographs all the more crucial for future generations seeking to understand our current historical moment.
