Reconstructing London -Visions of the City after World War II Vintage Prints by Ernst Haas at ATLAS Gallery
Atlas Gallery, situated on the corner of Chiltern Street Marylebone is delighted to announce an exhibition of previously unseen images by Austrian photographer Ernst Haas (1921-1986), which reveal post-war London in the years 1949 to 1951. The collection, which has never been published in its entirety or been on public display before, reconstructs London emerging from two of the darkest decades in its recent history into a bustling dynamic entity. From Haas's unique position as a European photographer with the benefits of time spent documenting New York, the photographer imbues London with energy, humour and progressiveness more associated with an American city. A photojournalist at the beginning of his career, Haas documented daily life with a keen but empathetic eye for London's changing character, and the levity and stoicism of its occupants. The vintage collection comprises 95 black and white vintage prints and is to be presented and sold as a single group for £370,000. Central to the tone of the collection is a group of works entitled 'Speaker's Corner'. This British institution is recognised as much for its devotion to freedom of speech and debate as for the eccentricity of some of the speakers. With wit, sensitivity and candour, Haas depicts the small area in the North East corner of Hyde Park as a microcosm for the changing face of post war British society, which offers an insight into early stages of a multicultural democracy in formation. Black workers unions, socialist political parties and bowler-hatted gentry offer their manifestos to engaged or amused crowds. The gallery will be exhibiting selected images from 'Speakers Corner' at Photo London, Somerset House. (21st-24th May) SHOWN: ERNST HAAS Cyclists, London, 1949. Vintage silver gelatin print Estate stamp on print verso 9.5 x 11.5 inches
