Images that capture a bygone tranquillity - Alfred Duggan-Cronin

Alfred Duggan-Cronin (1874-1954) was a leading South African photographer who exhibited both locally and abroad and whose work was published in an 11-volume series which, sadly, is rarely seen by the public today. Now an exhibition of his work, "Thandabantu: a photographic journey through southern Africa 1919-1939", is on view at the Good Hope Gallery at the Castle until 30 June.

Duggan-Cronin travelled extensively throughout southern Africa, covering some 28 000 kilometres, and his images capture the cultural diversity of the rural population in the first decades of the 20th century before the far-reaching changes caused by industrialization, urbanization and the imposition of Apartheid policy were felt.

His collection of several thousand photographs and ethnographic artefacts is housed in the McGregor Museum in Kimberley.

The exhibition, whose crisp images reflect a bygone era of tranquillity, is the result of a partnership between the McGregor Museum, the Duggan-Cronin Foundation and Scan Shop, with sponsorship from De Beers, and includes an educational programme.

The exhibition can be viewed daily from 09:30-16:00.

Enquiries: Gerald Klinghardt, Tel. 021 481 3836 or email gklinghardt@iziko.org.za

Image:
Herero women in modern and traditional clothing, Namibia, 1934. Photograph courtesy of the McGregor Museum and Scan Shop.

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