There is an exhibition in the nearby town of Bickenbach at the moment. The exhibits are photographs taken by one couple, every year at Christmas, between 1900 and 1945. The couple were Richard Wagner (no relation to the famous composer) and his wife Anna. For me, such photos are inspirational and encourage me to write, for example, a story set against the backdrop of the first half of the 20th century. Each photo is a snapshot of the time and each tells its own story of the culture, the politics and everyday life of Berliners. The photo below shows their Berlin home in 1900. Richard and Anna are, essentially, middle-class and live in a "good" district. I have to say that, after seeing these snapshots of their lives, I felt that I had got to know them quite well. Often, it is what you don't see that tells the viewer something. For example, where are the children?
The second photo, taken in 1917, shows how WW1 began to bite. Coal, gas and oil were rationed and the couple are wearing their coats to keep warm.
The third photo was taken in 1927. It looks like times have improved and Anna has received a vacuum cleaner as a present. What, if anything, does that tell us about expectations at this time? There are also electric lights on the tree.
Finally, here is Christmas 1942 and the couple look haunted. No bells ringing this year. Just bad news from Stalingrad and exhortations from Goebbels that the German people must rise to the challenge.
This, the end of year 4 of WW2 was the last photo the couple took. Anna died shortly after the war in 1945. She was 71 years old and died of malnutrition. Richard died 5 years later shortly before Christmas, aged 77.
fascinating photos. Thank you.
Ranald
Posted by: Ranald Barnicot | 12/21/2020 at 11:39 AM