Erich Hartmann, German/American, 1922 - 1999
Title: Dublin 1964 (Nuns at Howth)
Date: 1964
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Dimensions:
15 x 22 cm
Signed: on verso: Ruth Hartmann (the Artist's Wife)
Credit Line: Purchased, 2018
Object Number: NGI.2018.120
DescriptionErich Hartmann visited Dublin for the first time in 1964. He had already explored the city extensively in his imagination, ever since he first read James Joyce’s Ulysses. But now he came in reality, and he brought his cameras. Hartmann ventured outside of the city during his visit to Dublin to see coastal villages like Howth. In this photograph he captures a view of the promenade at the beach in Howth where two nuns are seated on a bench looking out at the sea and engaging in conversation. The sky is clear and the water is calm. An air of tranquillity permeates the scene. One can almost hear the sound of gently lapping waves and the whispers of the two nuns. There are two other figures in the photograph walking along the promenade in the distance alone. In keeping with Hartmann’s style and practice, he captures figures from behind so that they unaware of his presence allowing a candid moment to be caught.
ProvenanceErich and Ruth Hartmann, 1964-2007; Clair by Kahn Gallery, 2007; purchased, Clair by Kahn Gallery, Zurich, 2018
Inscriptionon verso, upper left: Dublin, 1964
on verso, upper left (in ink): Irlande Hartmann
on verso, lower left (in pencil): Irlande. Dublin
on verso, upper right (in pencil): 64-30 52-12
on verso (wet stamp): Magnum Photo, New York 1966
on verso (stamp): Copyright Erich Hartmann - Magnum Photo
on verso, upper left (in ink): Irlande Hartmann
on verso, lower left (in pencil): Irlande. Dublin
on verso, upper right (in pencil): 64-30 52-12
on verso (wet stamp): Magnum Photo, New York 1966
on verso (stamp): Copyright Erich Hartmann - Magnum Photo