Klaus Staeck and Gerhard Steidl: Beuys Book

Joseph Beuys was photographed extensively during his life, whether at work, while travelling or at home. But only a few
photographers had the privileged access and tenacity of Klaus Staeck and Gerhard Steidl. Graphic artist Staeck and
printer/publisher Steidl accompanied Beuys with their cameras from 1970 until his death in 1986. Staeck and Steidl
were part of Beuys entourage, worked closely with him to produce his multiples and objects, and documented intimate
aspects of the life of this unmatched artist-performer. These photos reveal Beuys unique charismatic personality that
influenced not only those he met, but society and art in general.
Born in 1938 in Pulsnitz near Dresden, Klaus Staeck is one of Germany s most prominent graphic artists. Renowned
for his political posters, Staeck has been president of the Akademie der Künste in Berlin since 2006. Steidl has produced
Staeck s posters throughout his career and has published many of his books including Ohne Auftrag (2001),
Pornografie (2005) and Schöne Aussichten (2009).
Gerhard Steidl was born in 1950 in Göttingen, Germany, where he continues to live and work. Steidl received his
informal printing training from Klaus Staeck and Joseph Beuys, and in 1972 the first Steidl book Befragung der
Documenta was published. Since the mid-1980s Steidl has published literature including the work of Nobel laureates
Günter Grass and Halldór Laxness. In 1996 Steidl founded an international photography book program.