The Max von Oppenheim photo collection Online

The Max von Oppenheim photo collection

Max Freiherr von Oppenheim (1860-1946) was not only a famous explorer but also a well known diplomat and collector of oriental artifacts. As an employee of the German consulate general in Cairo, he observed the Arabian world and excavated Tell Halaf in Syria. In his many expeditions, most taking several years, he explored the region between the Levante and Mesopotamia.

Oppenheim was always accompanied by professional photographers. The Near East and its people as well as its nature and architecture kept him mesmerized for decades. The result was a collection of 13.000 photos that captured the life and culture of a world gone by.

Max von Oppenheim's literary contributions and the photo-collection are kept in the house-archive of the Bankhaus Sal, Oppenheim jr. & Cie. in Cologne. It is owned by the Max Freiherr von Oppenheim Foundation and was established in 1929 by von Oppenheim himself.

Max von Oppenheim's photo-collection is accessible to the greater public by the Arachne database. In order to view images of the Max von Oppenheim photo-collection in a higher resolution, interested persons should contact the house-archive of the Bankhaus Sal. Oppenheim by e-mail to request the necessary rights. 

The photo-collection contains 75 albums (show all) and many single photographs. The photo volumes form chronological and spatial units regarding the following topics:

1.01 Expedition through Asian Turkey in 1899, vol. 1: Beirut-Baalbek-Damascus

1.02 Expedition through Asian Turkey in 1899, vol. 2: Damascus

1.03 Expedition through Asian Turkey in 1899, vol. 3: Tell Nebi Mend – Homs – Hama - Salamia

1.04 Expedition through Asian Turkey in 1899, vol. 4: [Salamia – Aleppo]

1.05 Expedition through Asian Turkey in 1899, vol. 5: Aleppo

1.06 Expedition through Asian Turkey in 1899, vol. 6: [el Bab – Orfa – Waranschahar]

1.07 Expedition through Asian Turkey in 1899, vol. 7: [Waranschahar – Tell Halaf – Diarbakir – Kazan Ali]

1.08 Expedition through Asian Turkey in 1899, vol. 8: Adana - Konia

1.09 Expedition through Asian Turkey in 1899, special edition: Pictures of Syria, Mesopotamia and Anatolia

1.10 Expedition through Asian Turkey in 1899, special edition of secretary Hänichen