The Lower Engadin in All Its Facets – the Feuerstein Family of Photographers

From the cyclamen to lady's slipper orchids, from marmots to buzzards, from the potato harvest to the Schweinemetzg (a traditional pig slaughter and roast in which nothing is wasted), from ski tours to the hunters' parade: the Feuerstein family of photographers from Scuol captured the Lower Engadin in all its facets for almost the entire 20th century. Subjects such as the putting-out system and customs are as prominent in the work of the four photographers from the Feuerstein family as tourism or flora and fauna.

The foundation was laid by Johann Feuerstein in 1898, with the establishment of a photographer's workshop in Scuol. His son, Domenic Feuerstein, dedicated himself to nature photography while also producing images for the tourism sector. Jon and Mic Feuerstein, Johann's grandsons, continued the work of their father and grandfather, documenting new developments such as the construction of power stations in the Lower Engadin.

The Feuersteins did not achieve quite the same level of fame as Albert Steiner, who shaped the photographic landscape of the Upper Engadin from his studio in St. Moritz. Nevertheless, their oeuvre is notable for at least three characteristics: continuity, quality, and diversity.