Dimbola – A Must Visit Place for any Photographer on the Isle of Wight
Does anyone else try to persuade their partners and families to plan holidays around places associated with photography places you want to visit? Up near the top of my list is a visit to the Isle of Wight. Why? Dimbola Museum and Gallery, the former home of Julia Margaret Cameron.
Julia Margaret Cameron
I’ve been enchanted with Cameron’s images for years. Initially, it was the images themselves that attracted me, standing out amongst all the others I’d come across from those early days of photography. They possess a subtle sensitivity I win’t used to seeing from images taken so long ago. Later when I learned that they were taken by a woman I was intrigued even more given how difficult it was for women to gain recognition for their achievements in both the arts and sciences during the Victorian era.
Julia Margaret Cameron was born in 1815 and lived at Dimbola between 1860 and 1875, although photography was becoming increasingly popular it was still relatively new and expensive. She converted a ‘glazed fowl house’ into her studio and went about creating her images with stubbornness and determination. Her focus was not solely on the rich and famous members of high society who would visit but also included locals, children and her own maids, every subject being treated with care.
About the Museum and Galleries
Dimbola Museum and Galleries was established in 1994 in Cameron’s former home to help preserve her legacy and promote photographic art. The building was scheduled for demolition but thankfully was saved and has now been returned to a form that Cameron would have recognised. Now celebrating 30 years since opening to the public it’s more than just a gallery or museum. They’ve hosted a range of exhibitions I’m sure Cameron would have loved by artists from Annie Leibovitz to Listen Stick alongside more permanent exhibitions of Cameron’s own work. The museum also hosts more historic educational information about photographic techniques and Dimbola history and a recreation of Julias own bedroom. Add on a delightful tearoom and gift shop, I’m sure you can see why this is up at the top of my list of places I want to visit.
You can fin out more about Dimbola Museum and Galleries and the Julia Margaret Cameron Trust on their Website.
Photos: Copyright Julia Margaret Cameron Trust and used with permission.