Hidden photo archive reveals how a refugee from Nazi Germany rebuilt her life in 1930s Birmingham
Art historian and curator Jen Wilbur mounts the final picture in the exhibition: Albert Finney as Macbeth, 1958,
A major archive documenting the life and work of photographer Lisel Haas has been opened up through a new exhibition, public programme and cataloguing project at the Library of Birmingham.
‘Discovering Lisel Haas’ is running at the Library of Birmingham until 12 December 2026, bringing public attention to the work of a German-born Jewish photographer who fled Nazi persecution in the 1930s and rebuilt her life and career in Birmingham.
Haas, born in Mönchengladbach in 1898, had already built a successful photographic career in Germany before she was forced to flee in 1938. She settled in Birmingham with her partner, Grete Bermbach, and re-established herself as a photographer in the city, starting her career again in a new country and a new language.
Her archive, now held at the Library of Birmingham, includes photographs, letters and documents that connect this personal history with Birmingham's wider cultural life. It also includes her important work with Birmingham Repertory Theatre, where she photographed productions and performers for more than two decades.
A staircase at Birmingham Rep is still lined with Haas's images, including photographs of major actors associated with the theatre such as Paul Scofield, Albert Finney, Ian Richardson and Derek Jacobi. The project will bring new attention to a visible but often under-recognised part of the theatre's own history.
Beyond her work at the Rep, Haas ran a portrait studio in Moseley, photographing local families at a time when professional photography, rather than the personal cameras most people take for granted today, was how important occasions and portraits were captured.
The project is being led by Bertz Associates in partnership with the Library of Birmingham, with public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, The National Archives' Archives Revealed programme and the John Feeney Charitable Trust.
Iris Bertz, of Bertz Associates, said:
"Lisel Haas's archive has been held in Birmingham for many years, but its full story has not been widely known. This project is about bringing that story into view: not only the photographs themselves, but the life behind them, the people she photographed, and the city she made her home.
"Haas was a professional photographer who came to Birmingham at a time of huge upheaval and rebuilt her career here. Her work connects Birmingham to European history, theatre, migration, women's lives and the hidden stories that sit inside archives until someone opens the box."
The archive is being formally catalogued for the first time, with photographic artist and archivist Clare Hewitt leading the work. Community groups including Dolphin Women's Centre, Pink Sou'westers, a LGBTQ+ social group for ages 40+ and Luna, a women and non-binary photography network, are contributing to the interpretation of the collection and helping shape cataloguing priorities, ensuring Haas's story is read in its full context rather than told through the photographs alone.
The exhibition presents selected material from the Haas archive alongside newly commissioned responses from five contemporary artists: Anu Gamanagari, Gibson Kochanek Studio, George Eksts, Laura Chen and Rebecca Orleans. It is accompanied by a published book of essays and written responses to the archive.
A blue plaque is also planned for Haas's former home and studio in Moseley, funded by the John Feeney Charitable Trust. Public talks and archive exploration events will run throughout the exhibition, including activity linked to Birmingham Heritage Week.
Clare Hewitt, photographic artist and archivist leading the cataloguing work, said:
"Cataloguing an archive is not simply an administrative process. It is a way of making material visible, searchable and meaningful. With the Lisel Haas archive, we are uncovering a body of work that tells us about a photographer, her subjects and the cultural world she documented.
"The exhibition gives the public a chance to see part of that work, but the wider project is also about understanding what the archive contains and why it matters now."
Discovering Lisel Haas has opened at the Library of Birmingham and runs until 12 December 2026. A private view will take place on Thursday 30 July, 6pm to 8pm, at the Library of Birmingham.
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Notes to editors
Watch Iris Bertz and Jen Wilbur explore the Lisel Haas work displayed at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. https://youtu.be/2iKHoEnp0ig?si=87aLJSgn0Pw
About Lisel HaasLisel Haas (1898–1989) was born in Mönchengladbach, Germany. A successful photographer in Germany, she left in 1938 and settled in Birmingham with her partner Grete Bermbach. She re-established her photographic career in the city and left behind a substantial archive, now held at the Library of Birmingham. There are 258 boxes of material in the collection.
Birmingham Rep connectionHaas photographed Birmingham Rep productions and performers for more than two decades, creating a significant visual record of the theatre's mid-century history. A staircase at Birmingham Rep remains lined with her images, including photographs of Paul Scofield, Albert Finney, Ian Richardson and Derek Jacobi.
About the archive projectThe Lisel Haas archive project is led by Bertz Associates in partnership with the Library of Birmingham. It includes archive cataloguing, community interpretation, contemporary artistic responses, an exhibition, a published book and a public events programme.
ExhibitionDiscovering Lisel HaasLibrary of Birmingham27 July to 12 December 2026Private view: Thursday 30 July, 6pm to 8pm
Artists featured in the exhibitionAnu GamanagariGibson Kochanek StudioGeorge EkstsLaura ChenRebecca Orleans
Funders and supportersThe project is supported by public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, The National Archives' Archives Revealed programme and the John Feeney Charitable Trust.
Media contactClive ReevesReeves PRclive@clivereeves.com0121 227 8227
High-resolution images and interview opportunities are available on request.
Image: Art historian and curator Jen Wilbur mounts the final picture in the exhibition: Lisel Haas's 1958 photograph of Albert Finney as Macbeth at Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Photograph: Clive Reeves.
Framed print credit:Lisel Haas, Albert Finney as Macbeth, 1958, Photograph, Lisel Haas Collection, Library of Birmingham Archives, © Dorothy Williams.
PR and comms consultancy for the arts provided by Reeves PR in Birmingham.