1. BLITZ
WWII IN LONDON
âThe glare of many fires and sweeping clouds of smoke kept hiding the shape.
Then a wind sprang up. Suddenly, the shining cross, dome and towers stood out like a symbol
in the inferno.The scene was unbelievable. In that moment or two, I released my shutter.â
Herbert Mason on his iconic 1940 photograph of St Paulâs Cathedral.
In this exhibition of vintage photographs from the 1940s, Londoners salvage their
possessions from the rubble of their homes and take refuge in the cityâs underground
stations.Walls crumble, buildings open like dollhouses, and families go about their
errands wearing gas masks. Many of these photographs were used for press purposes
and are unique historic documents as well as important works of art.
The Blitz lasted from 7 September 1940 to 21 May 1941. In this time, Germany
attacked London 71 times, rendering more than 1.4 million people homeless.The main
air offensive against British cities diminished after May 1941, but sporadic and lethal raids
continued for several more years, with theV-1 andV-2 rockets deployed between 1944
and 1945 killing nearly 9,000 civilians.
Although evidence of WWII persists in this historic city, the majority of bomb sites
remain unmarked and unremembered, and it is difficult to imagine what it must have
been like to experience such destruction.As the number of people who remember the
Blitz dwindles, we hope to reignite awareness of this significant time in Londonâs history.
Daniel Blau
51 Hoxton Square
London
N1 6PB
tel +44 (0)207 831 7998
Galerie Daniel Blau
Odeonsplatz 12
80539 MĂŒnchen
Germany
tel +49 (0)89 29 73 42
www.danielblau.com
Opening:
May 30, 2013, 6 - 8 pm
Exhibition:
May 31 - June 29
Tuesday - Saturday, 11 - 6 pm
For further information about
our exhibition email:
mail@danielblau.com
Left:
Herbert Mason
âSt. Paulâs During the Blitzâ
December, 1940
vintage silver gelatin print on
glossy fibre paper
20,3 x 25,8 cm
2. Keystone Photo
âKiddies Have âGas Lessonsââ
June 27, 1941
silver gelatin print on glossy fibre paper,
printed 1941
18,9 (20,2) x 24 (25,4) cm
Wide World Photo
âNazi Bombs Hit Hospitalâ
January 29, 1941
silver gelatin print on glossy
fibre paper, printed by
April 3, 1941
16,1 (18,1) x 21,3 x (23,9) cm
3. Wide World Photo
âFour OâClockTeaâ
March 29, 1941
silver gelatin print on glossy
fibre paper, printed by
April 7, 1941
21,7 (22,9) x 16,3 (18) cm
Wide World Photo
âPosters Go to Warâ
January 1943
silver gelatin print on glossy
fibre paper, printed by
February 1, 1943
21,5 (23,4) x 14,3 (17,8) cm
4. Bill Brandt (1904â1983)
âElephant and Castle Stationâ
November 11, 1940
later silver gelatin print on
glossy fibre paper
10,9 (12) x 15,6 (16,8) cm