New BBC Building
Photograph
1933 (made)
1933 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Emil Otto Hoppé was one of the most active art and documentary photographers of his time. Born in Munich, Hoppé moved to London in his early 20s where he began to exhibit as an amateur photographer. He opened his first photography studio in 1907, expanding to a larger studio by 1911. Hoppé became a renowned portrait photographer. His sitters included many luminary personalities from the arts, literature, and politics such as George Bernard Shaw, Thomas Hardy, T.S. Eliot, Vaslav Nijinsky, Queen Mary, King George, and other members of the Royal Family. Hoppé was also known as a talented landscape and travel photographer. He journeyed across Britain and Ireland to study people from all walks of life, but also as far as Cuba, Sri Lanka and New Zealand to expand his body of work. This collecton of 80 photographs depict London in the 1920s and 30s, including famous landmarks such as Big Ben, St Pauls Cathedral and boats on the river Thames. There are also snapshots of day to day life in the city, often captured by Hoppé with a mix of poignancy and humour. A large portion of the pictures depict the V&A, such as cleaners in the galleries, a blind winder, the 1930s equivalent of ‘Opinions’ afternoons, and lectures. There are also images of the Natural History Museum and the Royal College of Art.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | New BBC Building (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Gelatin silver print |
| Brief description | Photograph by Emil Otto Hoppé of New BBC Building, London, 1933 |
| Physical description | Photograph depicts the BBC building on Portland Place. It is central in the photograph with surrounding streets and buildings. On the left of the photograph is a man on a bike entering the picture. Behind him also on the left is a building, on which the words, slightly obscured by the mans hat but can be seen 'Barclays Limited.' Three pedestrians walk on the pavement in front of Barclays away from camera, a car can also be seen stationary on the road. The centre of the picture focuses on the BBC Broadcasting House Building on Portland Place, in front of which are three pedestrains and a car. On the right of the photograph is All Souls Church, Langham Place, in front of which is a bike and a woman crossing the road. She is wearing heels, skirt, jacket and hat and is clutching a handbag. In the bottom right corner of the photograph is a manhole cover. On the reverse of the image is written 'London,' 'Kew B.B.C.' and the numbers 1355-1782. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Gift of the American Friends of the V&A |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | Emil Otto Hoppé was one of the most active art and documentary photographers of his time. Born in Munich, Hoppé moved to London in his early 20s where he began to exhibit as an amateur photographer. He opened his first photography studio in 1907, expanding to a larger studio by 1911. Hoppé became a renowned portrait photographer. His sitters included many luminary personalities from the arts, literature, and politics such as George Bernard Shaw, Thomas Hardy, T.S. Eliot, Vaslav Nijinsky, Queen Mary, King George, and other members of the Royal Family. Hoppé was also known as a talented landscape and travel photographer. He journeyed across Britain and Ireland to study people from all walks of life, but also as far as Cuba, Sri Lanka and New Zealand to expand his body of work. This collecton of 80 photographs depict London in the 1920s and 30s, including famous landmarks such as Big Ben, St Pauls Cathedral and boats on the river Thames. There are also snapshots of day to day life in the city, often captured by Hoppé with a mix of poignancy and humour. A large portion of the pictures depict the V&A, such as cleaners in the galleries, a blind winder, the 1930s equivalent of ‘Opinions’ afternoons, and lectures. There are also images of the Natural History Museum and the Royal College of Art. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | PH.249-2021 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 13, 2018 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSON
