[Reconstruction of Warsaw] Royal Castle Grodzka Gate photo by Karol Pęcherski [photograph ca 1950].

Karol Pęcherski (born 1885 in Wieluń, died 1951 in Warsaw) was a photographer, documentary filmmaker and one of the most interesting representatives of Polish photography in the first half of the 20th century. He came from a family associated with the profession - his father ran a photography business. Karol himself joined the Photographers' Guild in 1909, and gained his professional experience in Warsaw, working at the establishment of A. Gürtler at 49 Nowy Swiat Street.

In 1919, he took over the "Malarski and Tavrell" atelier at 57 Nowy Swiat St. From the beginning of the 20th century, his photographs appeared in the press. A former legionnaire, he enjoyed portraying Marshal Jozef Pilsudski, and also created reportage and art photographs. He gained recognition with his large-format photograph "Baby," awarded in a photographic competition in 1925.

In his private life, he married Maria in 1923; their only daughter, Irena, was born the same year. He photographed his family frequently, with sensitivity and humor. In 1930 he moved his business to 2 Mazowiecka Street, where he ran a laboratory for amateur work and a photo store.

In February 1945 and took a job as a documentary photographer at the Department of Historic Architecture of the Capital Reconstruction Bureau, and later at the Office of the Conservator of Antiquities. He remained there until the end of his life, creating enormous documentation of destroyed Warsaw - especially of historic buildings and their condition immediately after the war.

He died in 1951 in Warsaw, leaving behind a valuable artistic and documentary output.