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Picture:
KAVEH ROSTAMKHANI/AFP/Getty Images
We’ve all seen some pretty impressive photo series over the years; but this one, of Europe's most powerful politician, might top them all.
Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel has been photographed by Herlinde Koelbl since 1991, back when she was a minister for women and children.
Merkel – or “mutti” (mother in German), as she is nicknamed – started posing for photos alongside other German politicians for a study called “Traces of Power,” to portray what life was like in the public eye, and how it changed them all over 10 years.
I love that the German Chancellor has been posing for a conceptual portrait series with the same photographer since… https://t.co/OkiACElUDh— Clayton Cubitt (@Clayton Cubitt) 1490125542
Merkel remained grounded over this time, a New Yorkerpiece states, and Koelbl told the magazine:
You could feel her strength at the beginning.
Merkel is not vain—still. And that helped her, because if you’re vain you are subjective. If you’re not vain, you are more objective.
Koelbl has continued to meet with Merkel every year.
Picture: AFP / GETTY / KAVEH ROSTAMKHANI
But some might be surprised by Merkel’s decision to take part, as she’s renowned for being serious and very private.
According to the Irish Times, she once told Die Zeit:
When I looked at Traces of Power recently I laughed a lot at some passages. That I ever agreed to the Koelbl project surprises me to this day.
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