Edmund Engelman: A Photographer's Legacy of Sigmund Freud

• Born: Vienna, Austria (1907)
• Died: New York City, U.S. (2000)
• Nationality: Jewish Austrian (Viennese), later American

Early Life and Education

• Edmund Engelman's parents were Jewish immigrants from Galicia who settled in Vienna.
• He displayed an early aptitude for technology, building his own camera at age ten and receiving a ham radio license.
• Engelman attended the prestigious Technische Hochschule (now Vienna University of Technology) from 1927 to 1931, earning a degree in mechanical and electrical engineering. This provided him with a strong technical foundation that would later inform his photographic work.
• He graduated from the Real-Gymnasium Leopoldstadt, the same school Sigmund Freud attended.

The Photographs of Sigmund Freud

• Engelman is primarily known for documenting Sigmund Freud's home and office at Berggasse 19 in Vienna during May 1938. This was just weeks before Freud, his wife Martha, and daughter Anna fled Austria for England following the Nazi annexation.
• These photographs are a historically significant record of Freud’s final days in Vienna and provide invaluable insight into his personal and professional life. They capture the atmosphere of his study, his collection of antiquities, and portraits of Freud and his family during a time of great upheaval.
• The photographs were taken using only natural light, demonstrating Engelman's skill and resourcefulness given the circumstances.
• These images have been recognized for their documentary value and artistic merit, offering a unique glimpse into the life of one of history’s most influential thinkers.

Career Beyond Photography

• Prior to photographing Freud, Engelman founded Foto City in 1932, a prominent photography store and studio on Kärntner Straße in Vienna. It became a center for photographic equipment and experimentation.
• During World War II, he worked as an aeronautical engineer, contributing to the development of electronic devices.
• After immigrating to New York City, Engelman established Midway Camera Exchange, continuing his involvement in the photography industry.

Recognition and Legacy

• Engelman's work has been recognized with awards including the Carey-Thomas Award and the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art.
• His photographs of Sigmund Freud are housed in prominent collections, including the Freud Museum London.
• Engelman’s legacy lies not only in his photographic documentation but also in his unique blend of engineering expertise and artistic vision. He provides a rare window into the life and work of Sigmund Freud at a pivotal moment in history.