Photographers - Part 76

Werner Bandi

Werner Bandi (1891-1964), above, was a Swiss photographer.  He is relatively little known.

His favorite model was Bob Steffen (1928-2012).  They were introduced in 1943 when Steffen was still in school and Bandi was 52 years old.  It developed into a 20-year relationship.  All of the remaining photos in this post are of Bob Steffen.

Above, Bob Steffen in Blüemlisalp, 1945.

During World War II, with his mother's approval, Steffen accompanied Bandi on various trips around Switzerland.

Above, Der Bogenschütze (The Archer), 1945.

After the war, when it was possible to travel abroad, the two went on cruises together in 1949, 1950 and 1951.

Above, Im Kiental (In the Kien Valley), 1945.

The attractive young man helped the reticent older man, Bandi, make social contact with other people.

Above, Aktfoto von Bob Steffen im Boot sitzend auf dem Thunersee (Nude photo of Bob Steffen sitting in a boat on Lake Thun), 1945.

The Swiss law prohibiting homosexual acts had been repealed in 1942.  This made Switzerland unique.  The journal Der Kreis (The Circle) was founded in Zurich, and for many years it was the world's only homosexual journal.

Above, Aktfoto von Bob Steffen in klassischer Bogenschützenhaltung auf Boot (Nude photo of Bob Steffen in classic archer pose on a boat), 1945.

Der Kreis published photographs by Werner Bandi starting in 1946.

Above, Bob Steffen nackt auf Stein, berühmte Pose nach Flandrin (Bob Steffen naked on stone, famous pose after Flandrin), 1945.

We end with Bob Steffen, Berner Oberland (Bob Steffen, Bernese high country), 1944.

When Werner Bandi died in 1964, he had been unable to make Bob Steffen his legal heir.  But he had already given Steffen his greatest treasure – his photography collection, including the nude photos and pictures of their travels and cruises together.