Emil Mayer (1871-1938) was a Viennese lawyer whose passion for photography made him a chronicler of life in early 20th century Vienna. He developed a number of photographic processes, such as a mirror mechanism that allowed him to photograph around a corner, so his subjects were unaware of being photographed. In his snapshots, he captured typical Viennese types: coachmen, patrons of coffeehouses, market vendors, handsome k.u.k. soldiers with their gold tresses on their fancy uniforms, the many migrants from Eastern Europe, and many more. Mayer achieved popular acclaim with his scenes of the Prater, Vienna’s popular public park. In June 1938, after the German annexation of Austria, Mayer and his wife committed suicide to escape Nazi persecution. After his death, the Gestapo ransacked his apartment and destroyed a large part of his work. |
