First World War internee engraving of Douglas Camp theatre
Date made: 1918
Description: An engraving of the Privilege Camp at Douglas Camp showing a view inside the camp theatre. The view of the camp theatre shows a performance from the viewpoint of a member of the audience (from the middle of the stalls). The view is over the backs of the heads of several members of the audience and the orchestra and conductor (in the orchestra pit). The theatre is shown in darkness with only the stage lit. The scenery for the play is a rural cottage with a small bridge and hills in the background, the four members of the cast are in German folk costume, with one internee in female costume. The engraving is entitled, 'Douglas, Insel Man - Deutsches Theater - Szene aus "Gwissenswurm"' and is signed in the engraving 'F.Nettel - 18'. The engraving is printed with black ink and has left a plate mark on the paper. The engraving is one of a folio set or edition produced in the camp.
Background:
During the First World War (1914-1918) the Isle of Man was used as an internment base for civilian ‘enemy aliens’. They were held in two camps, a requisitioned holiday camp in Douglas and a purpose built camp located at Knockaloe near Peel on the west coast of the Island. These held at their peaks over 4,000 and 23,000 men in some cases for nearly five years between opening in 1914 and final closure in 1919.
Measurements: overall: 22.5 cm x 30 cm
Materials: paper
Object name: engraving
Collection: Art Collection
ID number: 2008-0170/16
Subject tags : #WW1INTERNMENTMUSEUMCOLLECTIONS