Search the Collection

John Gay

(1909-1999), Photographer

Sitter in 5 portraits
Artist of 295 portraits
Born Hans Gohler in Karlsrühe. He left Germany in 1933, and moved to England where he settled in Yorkshire and found work as a photographer. In 1939 he joined the Pioneer Corps with whom he served throughout Word War II. He decided to change his name to John Gay, after the poet and dramatist of Beggar's Opera fame. From 1942 he based himself in Highgate, London, and worked as a professional photographer. His work encompassed regular contributions to Country Fair and the photo-essays in The Strand magazine for which he also produced a number of portraits of literary personalities in the 1940s. He was celebrated as a photographer of railway stations, graveyards and country scenes.

2 Likes voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation Close

List Thumbnail

Eva Fenton, by John Gay - NPG x126631

Eva Fenton

by John Gay
vintage bromide print, 1956
NPG x126631

H.E. Bates, by John Gay - NPG x126613

H.E. Bates

by John Gay
vintage bromide print, 1957
NPG x126613

H.E. Bates, by John Gay - NPG x126614

H.E. Bates

by John Gay
vintage contact sheet, 1957
NPG x126614

Related People

Category

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.