Germany attacked London 71 times between September 1940 and May 1941 in a bombing campaign known as the Blitz. Over 1.4 million Londoners were left homeless from the destruction. An exhibition at Galerie Daniel Blau from May 30 to June 29, 2013 featured vintage photographs from the Blitz documenting the damage and civilians salvaging possessions from bombed buildings and seeking shelter in underground stations while wearing gas masks. The exhibition aimed to increase awareness of London's experience with destruction and mass displacement during WWII as fewer remain who remember the Blitz firsthand.

1. BLITZ
WWII IN LONDON
“The 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.”
Herbert Mason on his iconic 1940 photograph of St Paul’s 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 city’s 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 London’s history.
Daniel Blau
51 Hoxton Square
London
N1 6PB
tel +44 (0)207 831 7998
Galerie Daniel Blau
Odeonsplatz 12
80539 München
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
“St. Paul’s During the Blitz”
December, 1940
vintage silver gelatin print on
glossy fibre paper
20,3 x 25,8 cm

2. Keystone Photo
“Kiddies Have ‘Gas Lessons’”
June 27, 1941
silver gelatin print on glossy fibre paper,
printed 1941
18,9 (20,2) x 24 (25,4) cm
Wide World Photo
“Nazi Bombs Hit Hospital”
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
“Four O’ClockTea”
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
“Posters Go to War”
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 (1904–1983)
“Elephant and Castle Station”
November 11, 1940
later silver gelatin print on
glossy fibre paper
10,9 (12) x 15,6 (16,8) cm