James Joyce

by Berenice Abbott
vintage bromide print, 1926
7 7/8 in. x 9 7/8 in. (200 mm x 251 mm)
Purchased, 1995
Primary Collection
NPG P610

Sitterback to top

James Joyce (1882-1941), Novelist, poet and playwright. Sitter in 7 portraits.

Artistback to top

Berenice Abbott (1898-1991), Photographer. Artist of 4 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This is one of two photographs of him by Abbott in the NPG collection, showing him in Paris. Since the 1910s Joyce had suffered from eye trouble; he had in all 11 operations on his eyes and at the time of this photograph was blind in his left eye.

Linked publicationsback to top

Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 343

Placesback to top

Place made and portrayed: France (sitter's home, Paris)

Events of 1926back to top

Current affairs

In response to wage cuts and increased working hours for coal miners recommended by the Samuel Commission, the Trade Union Council calls a General Strike of workers in the key industries. Although over 1.5 million workers took part, the TUC finally gave in after nine days and called off the strike. The Trade Disputes and Trade Union Act of 1927 made it harder for workers to strike.

Art and science

A.A. Milne publishes Winnie-the-Pooh. The series of popular children's books featured the character Christopher Robin (named after Milne's son) and a cast of animals based on his stuffed-toys including Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit, Tigger, Kanga and Roo.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is published. This was Agatha Christie's third 'whodunit' novel featuring Hercule Poirot, the Belgian Detective.

International

The League of Nations accepts Germany as the sixth permanent member on the council deeming it a 'peace-loving country'. This confidence, however, was short lived with Germany leaving the League with the accession of Adolf Hitler to power in 1933.

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