Fotostiftung Schweiz and the Rosellina Archive are jointly presenting the fascinating life’s work of Rosellina Burri-Bischof (1925–1986) alongside the exhibition Werner Bischof – Unseen Colour. “There was perhaps no name like Rosellina Burri-Bischof’s that remains so endearingly and imaginatively associated with photography in our country,” wrote Hugo Loetscher in his obituary in 1986.

Rosa Helene Mandel grew up in Zurich as the daughter of politically active Hungarian-Czech emigrant parents. After the end of the war, she travelled to Rimini to assist in post-war reconstruction efforts in Europe. In 1946, “Rösli” – now known as Rosellina in Italy – and Werner Bischof met in Milan while passing through. They shared a desire to engage in humanitarian causes as well as a sensitivity towards art and photography. After their marriage in 1949, Rosellina took on the task of promoting her husband’s photographic work.

When Werner tragically died in an accident during a reportage in 1954, Rosellina preserved his legacy and continued to advocate for Bischof’s work through exhibitions and publications. She served as the director of Magnum Photos in Zurich and co-founded the International Fund for Concerned Photography in New York. In 1963, she married Magnum photographer René Burri and continued her dedication to photography. In 1971, she became one of the founding members of the Foundation for Photography (now Fotostiftung Schweiz). As a member of an extensive professional network, she made significant contributions to the appreciation of photography at both the national and international levels.

An exhibition by Rosellina Archive in collaboration with Fotostiftung Schweiz. Curated by Tania Kuhn, Rosellina Archive, and Alessa Widmer, PhD student University of Zurich, in collaboration with Teresa Gruber, Fotostiftung Schweiz.