Request to view

This object can be requested via email from the Prints & Drawings Study Room

Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Taper Roller Bearing

Photograph
1957 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Broomfield, Maurice (photographer)
Place of origin
Northamptonshire (photographed)

Maurice Broomfield (1916-2010) worked to photograph the changing face of British manufacturing industries during the 1950s and 1960s. His photographs are recognized for their uniquely modern design elements, humanist strain, and their contribution to the documentation of the rebirth of British industry in the post war era.

Object details

Category
Photographs
Object type
Photograph
TitleTaper Roller Bearing (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Silver gelatin print
Brief description
Photograph by Maurice Broomfield, 'Taper Roller Bearing', 1957, gelatin silver print, printed 1995
Physical description
A silver gelatin print of a worker handling a roller bearing. The figure is framed by a roler bearing at the foreground of the image.
Dimensions
  • Paper height: 609mm
  • Paper width: 504mm
Copy number
6/25
Marks and inscriptions
Signed by Maurice Broomfield, dated 1957. 6/25
Gallery label
(20/03/2012)
Broomfield made his name as the premier photographer of post-war British industry. From the 1950s until the 70s he was regularly commissioned by companies such as English Electric, Ford, Shell and Philips.

Broomfield sought to elevate the figure of the worker. Through careful composition and strong lighting his photographs create a sense of the drama and atmosphere of labour. As manufacturing has turned to cheaper markets overseas, these photographs serve as a reminder of an important moment in Britain's industrial history.
Credit line
Given by the artist
Subjects depicted
Industrial Location
Workplace
Machinery
Factory
Worker
Summary
Maurice Broomfield (1916-2010) worked to photograph the changing face of British manufacturing industries during the 1950s and 1960s. His photographs are recognized for their uniquely modern design elements, humanist strain, and their contribution to the documentation of the rebirth of British industry in the post war era.
Associated object
PROV.15693:14-2018
Bibliographic reference
Maurice Broomfield, published by Foto8, 2009 Plate 2. Taper Roller Bearing "I noticed this inspection of bearings while making a survey but such a photograph would be impossible to achieve in daytime. Industry has always been most cooperative and understanding to my requests and readily agreed to arrange for the necessary personnel to return to the factory during the hours of darkness, despite it being midsummer." British Timken Works, Daventry, Northamptonshire, in the early hours of 11 July 1957
Other number
V214-2 - Negative number
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.3738-2007

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

Record createdJune 8, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O239180/taper-roller-bearing-photograph-broomfield-maurice/
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest