In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Liberation, the city of Saint-Malo is hosting a profound photographic exhibition highlighting the work of Lee Miller, an esteemed American war photographer and correspondent.
Lee Miller: U.S. Army Official Photograph – http://astro.temple.edu/~gurwin/hist.0690syb2005.html, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77888314
The exhibition, featuring around fifty carefully selected photographs, will be open to the public from 18th June to 29th September 2024.
The expo aims to both recognise and celebrate Miller’s significant contributions to 20th-century photojournalism.
Lee Miller’s Lens on Saint-Malo
Lee Miller’s poignant photographs of war-torn Saint-Malo capture the devastation and resilience of the city during the siege from 13th to 17th August 1944.
As the sole photographer present during this crucial period, Miller’s work offers an unparalleled visual record of the events.
Her images, ranging from the bomb-ravaged streets within the city’s walls to the poignant scenes of liberation, are preserved in the archives and now displayed for public viewing.
A Return to History
Eighty years ago, on 12th August 1944, Lee Miller landed on Omaha Beach and made her way to Saint-Malo, determined to document the realities of war despite the prohibition on women at the front lines.
Armed with her Rolleiflex camera and speaking fluent French, she meticulously photographed the siege, capturing over three hundred images in a span of just five days. These images were later published in Vogue, accompanied by her own written accounts.
One of the most striking images in the exhibition shows German prisoners emerging from Fort d’Aleth under the watchful eyes of American soldiers on 17th August 1944.
Such photographs provide invaluable historical documentation and showcase Miller’s extraordinary ability to convey the gravity of war through her lens.
The Rediscovery of a Legacy
The exhibition also sheds light on Miller’s multifaceted career. Beyond her war photography, she was an artist, surrealist, and fashion model.
The discovery of her war photographs, stored in a suitcase in the attic of her family home, was made by her son, Antony Penrose.
This find has been instrumental in bringing her work to the forefront of historical recognition. Antony’s efforts have ensured that her once-hidden legacy is now celebrated and acknowledged.
Literary Insights into Saint-Malo’s History
In addition to Lee Miller’s visual documentation, the historical context of Saint-Malo during the Second World War is further enriched by Philip Beck’s book, The Burning of Saint-Malo.
This comprehensive account provides a detailed narrative of the events that transpired during the siege, complementing the stark imagery captured by Miller.
During our recent visit to Saint-Malo, we had the privilege of staying in the house of Beck’s family.
This residence, constructed on the site of the former Hôtel-Dieu, a location steeped in history, added a poignant layer to our experience.
The Hôtel-Dieu, which was destroyed during the war, now stands as a symbol of the city’s resilience and reconstruction.
Transcribing Beck’s book was an illuminating process, offering deeper insights into the personal and communal struggles faced by the inhabitants of Saint-Malo.
Beck’s meticulous recounting of the siege, the fires that ravaged the city, and the subsequent efforts to rebuild, echo the same themes of destruction and recovery depicted in Miller’s photographs.
When taken together, these works provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of Nazi occupation, and the subsequent liberation on Saint-Malo and its’ people.
Exhibition Details
The exhibition, titled “Saint-Malo under Siege, 13-17th August 1944, Lee Miller,” is held at the Chapelle Saint-Victoire in Saint-Malo.
Visitors can explore these historical photographs every day from 10 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 7 pm. The entry fee is 6 euros, offering an opportunity for the public to engage with this significant historical narrative through Miller’s compelling photography.
Location: Chapelle Saint-Victoire, 4, rue de la Victoire, Saint-Malo
Dates: 18 June – 29 September 2024
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 12:00, 14:00 – 19:00
Admission: 6 euros
This exhibition not only honours the memory of Saint-Malo’s resilience but also ensures that Lee Miller’s invaluable contributions to war photography are rightly celebrated.
Coupled with the insights from Philip Beck’s The Burning of Saint-Malo, it offers a profound reflection on the past for all who attend.
Philip Beck was an English journalist, historian, artist, actor and theatrical director. For years he lived in the Vale of Evesham (England).
He was editor of Berrow’s Worcester Journal, and sub-editor of the Evesham Journal. Among his published works were Oradour: The Death of a Village, and The Burning of Saint-Malo, of which this article is a condensation or summary. He and his French wife, Marie-Cecile, were both bi-lingual. He died in 2007, age 92, at his home in Saint Malo (France).
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