Imaging Conflict: photographs from revolutionary era Ireland 1913-1923

Fascinating exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland: Decorative Arts and History on the role of photography during Ireland’s revolutionary decade.

It set out the story clearly using wonderful images which it explained well. It was a shame they were shown as reproductions but it was good to see a note explaining why and it would have had to be a very different, less accessible show if they had used originals. It was a nice touch to have a few cabinets with original albums and publications in draws.

It included a nice balance of amateur and professional work and explained how new cameras enabled more people to take photographs. It also examined how images were used, particularly interesting in a section on surveillance used by both sides in the conflicts.

A number of the images were grim but I loved this First World War from a convalescent home. There is a novel in it somewhere!

Closes 2024


 

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