The Filson Historical Society Digital Projects

A German Family of Photographers

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Gunter Family Tree

Paul Günter was born in Hanover, Germany, on June 16, 1857, the son of Hermann and Karoline Günter. The family is able to trace their roots quite a ways back in Germany, as is shown by this family chart provided by the family when the collection was donated to the Filson in 2001. 

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Hermann Günter and family, ca. 1860s

Example of playing with art and photography with a composite work of photography and paint.

Another piece by Hermann Günter, Sr. is this composite work of photography and paint. The image shows Karoline Günter at her writing desk with a photo of Hermann on the table. Their five children at the time and a dog are nearby and at her feet. They are all looking up to see Hermann Günter walk through the door. This legacy of combining art and photography appears in Paul Günter's later work with art photography.