Author(s): Helen Mavin

Warfare

IWM holds approximately 11 million photographs in its archives, covering the causes, course and consequences of modern conflict from the First World War to the present day.

Since the First World War, both official and unofficial war photographers have documented the visceral, sensory and emotional experiences of war, from combat to medical innovation, to privation, friendship and loss. War Photographers showcases 50 images from IWM's unique collection that present photographers as both witnesses and participants in conflict. This selection features iconic photographs from the revolutionary Olive Edis, images from Bill Brandt's Blitz series and works by official Photograph Units across a range of theatres