Language:
English
Year of publication:
2009
Titel der Quelle:
History and Theory; Studies in the Philosophy of History
Angaben zur Quelle:
48,2 [Theme Issue 47] (2009) 54-76
Keywords:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Sources
;
World War, 1939-1945 Photography
Abstract:
Our imaginations of the Holocaust are shaped by photographs that are part of our cultural memory; by their repeated use, many of them have been transformed into symbolic images. Reflects on the question to what extent these photographs are able to depict or convey historical truth. Explores the arguments of some theorists of photography (Benjamin, Kracauer, Sontag, Barthes) to investigate the relationship between photography and reality. Assumes that photographs cannot depict a historical process and, in the case of the Holocaust, cannot convey its specificity, e.g. show that it was a traceless destruction. Many extant camp photographs were taken either by the liberating Allies (thus depicting not the Holocaust, but its aftermath, and having sometimes propaganda goals) or by perpetrators with the aim of deception rather than conveying the truth. Analyzes three examples of "successful" Holocaust photographs and shows that, despite their becoming symbolic images, in some way they are able to depict historical truth.
DOI:
10.1111/j.1468-2303.2009.00498.x
URL:
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