DAI - Photo Archive

Profile

The photo archive at the Athens Department files about 150,000 image negatives, of which approximately 114,000 are analogue photographs which systematically have been digitised over several years. Wherever possible, they are foreseen to be integrated in the fully searchable online image database called iDAI.objects/Arachne.
The archaeological photo collection at the Athens Department goes back to the years of Wilhelm Dörpfeld as second director following 1886 and includes pictures taken during his participation in the excavations on the Athens Acropolis. Dörpfeld himself, who in anticipation recognised the growing importance of the then still controversial value of photographic records, systematically enlarged the collection at an above-average pace. In addition to documenting individual object categories, focus was set on the photographic record of the topography from all over Greece and also the western shores of Anatolia. Today, this unique accumulation of documents accounts for the archive's unique value. The collection includes around 50,000 glass-framed negatives, already searchable today in iDAI.objects. They provide insight to situations that long since have fundamentally changed, owing to the meanwhile drastically transformed appearances of many regions. The archive furthermore comprises countless images from the department's numerous research projects as well as artefacts from Greece's numerous archaeological collections, whilst with a special focus on sculpture and small art objects. The archive continues to grow through the relentless flow of generous image donations from photographers and scholars, the indexing of which too falls within its remit.
The photo archive is open for private, academic, and commercial usage. In addition to the online collection indexed in iDAI.objects, searches can also be carried out at our premises. The archive's services also include the processing of image requests and scans, digital transfers, and the occasional production of new images.

Address & Contact

Fidiou 1
10678 Athens
Greece
+30 (0)210 3307419
+30 (0)210 3307408 (Head)

fotothek.athen@dainst.de

Visiting Options

The photo archive is accessible for research after prior registration and appointment. For appointments, please contact us by e-mail at fotothek.athen@dainst.de or telephone at +30 (0)210 3307419.

Services and terms of use

We are happy to support you with orders from the photo archive's holdings and with any enquiries relating to the photo archive. Please contact fotothek.athen@dainst.de.

All photographic material is authorized for onetime use and subject to the terms and conditions of the DAI. Usage fees depend on the type of use.