Vera Mercer | Still. Leben

In the organizer's words:

From February 7 to April 18, 2026, the Leica Gallery Stuttgart presents the exhibition 'Still. Life" by the internationally renowned photographer Vera Mercer.

Vera Mercer (*1936, Berlin) is known today for her independent and idiosyncratic arrangements: opulent, neo-baroque still lifes that reinterpret classic vanitas motifs. Her works are rich in color and detail, often bathed in mystical light and artfully arranged. She combines crabs, fish carcasses, game and poultry with flowers, candles and antique accessories to create a visual feast that celebrates the joy of life and transience in equal measure.

The Leica M11 Monochrom also creates monochrome still lifes that do not lack color and change and complement the perception of the subject. At the same time, these still lifes are close to the photographic origins of her passion for the culinary and the staging of food: in the 1960s, she photographed market halls in Paris and the hustle and bustle there.

Vera Mercer, who was part of the Parisian artistic avant-garde at the time, also created impressive photographs of artists such as Jean Tinguely, Eva Aeppli, Marcel Duchamp, Niki de Saint-Phalle and Daniel Spoerri. These are portraits with a private character, which over time also acquire the value of historical documents.