The BIGGEST photographic empire in Austria-Hungary

A photographic entrepreneur of European calibre started his business in Teplice.

Carl Pietzner had worked his way up: starting with assistant work in the first photographic studios in both Prussia and Russia he eventually became the owner of his own business at the age of 24. It was 1877 when the young entrepreneur arrived in Šanov where he took over an already existing studio.

The setting of the world-renowned spa town, which literally swarmed with the cream of society, meant a great opportunity for Pietzner. It was wealthy visitors to the spa town that visited his Art Institute for Photography, (portrait) Painting and Collotype. His earnings were rapidly rising and so Pietzner gradually established around 17 branches where up to 300 people worked. You would have found them in the vicinity of Teplice (in Duchcov, Most, Ústí nad Labem, Děčín (Tetschen), Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad)…), but also in big cities such as Vienna, Berlin, Salzburg or Bremen.

Although Pietzner moved permanently to Vienna in 1895 and handed management of the company over to his son, he kept seeking opportunities for further investment in the region where he started. For instance, at the turn of the century he built a porcelain and earthenware factory in Ledvice near Bílina.

Even though this photographer was honoured with the title of imperial administrator, and he certainly did not live in need, he did not consider the second half of his life to be happy. Financial losses linked to the defeat in the Great War, depression and advancing old age forced him to commit suicide in 1927 at the age of 74. However, thanks to his studio, today we have unique photographs of both the personalities and figureheads of Austria-Hungary shortly before its twilight.