Exhibition revives stark 120-year-old documentation of Vienna's poor

An exhibition in Vienna is shedding light on a powerful photographic and journalistic record of poverty from over a century ago. Titled 'Das Elend als Bühne' (Misery as a Stage), the exhibition focuses on the work of journalist Emil Kläger and photographer Hermann Drawe, who meticulously documented the lives of the city's most destitute inhabitants 120 years ago.

Their collaboration produced images of "terrible clarity," as described, capturing the harsh realities faced by the poor in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century. The project aimed not just to observe but to expose the profound social inequalities and the daily struggles of those living on the margins of society.

This new exhibition seeks to revive the impact of Kläger and Drawe's work, presenting their unflinching portrayals to a contemporary audience. By revisiting these historical documents, the exhibition prompts reflection on social conditions, the role of journalism and photography in social commentary, and the enduring presence of poverty.