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Destruction Collection

"Destruction: A Haunting Reminder of the Ravages of War" The Holland House library, once a sanctuary for knowledge and culture

Background imageDestruction Collection: Holland House library after an air raid BB83_04456

Holland House library after an air raid BB83_04456
HOLLAND HOUSE, Kensington, London. An interior view of the bombed library at Holland House with readers apparently choosing books regardless of the damage. Photographed in 1940

Background imageDestruction Collection: A woman enjoys a cup of tea in the midst of the bomb damage at New Cross after air raids

A woman enjoys a cup of tea in the midst of the bomb damage at New Cross after air raids on London in World War Two June 1944

Background imageDestruction Collection: Propaganda poster for the RAF

Propaganda poster for the RAF during World War Two. Victory of the Allies is assured. Intensive bombing of Germanys war industries continues

Background imageDestruction Collection: Tinsley cooling towers, Sheffield

Tinsley cooling towers, Sheffield
Tinsley cooling towers being demolished. These towers were built in 1938 as part of the Blackburn Meadows power station and stood over 75 metres tall

Background imageDestruction Collection: Particle physics experiment, artwork

Particle physics experiment, artwork
Particle physics experiment. Artwork of tracks of particles detected following a collision in a particle accelerator. In these experiments

Background imageDestruction Collection: EVNT2A-00183

EVNT2A-00183
British army burning the White House in 1814 during the War of 1812. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Background imageDestruction Collection: Australian troops at remains of Chateau Wood, Passchendaele, 1917

Australian troops at remains of Chateau Wood, Passchendaele, 1917
WWI: PASSCHENDAELE, 1917. Australian troops walking along duckboards through the remains of Chateau Wood, during the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium. Photograph, 29 October 1917

Background imageDestruction Collection: Supernova explosion, artwork

Supernova explosion, artwork
Supernova explosion, computer artwork. Supernovas are the explosive deaths of massive stars

Background imageDestruction Collection: HMS Iron Duke and the Great Fire of Smyrna, 1922

HMS Iron Duke and the Great Fire of Smyrna, 1922
A vivid photograph of the burning of Smyrna after its capture by the Turks, with HMS Iron Duke, the flagship of the Mediterranean fleet, in the foreground. Date: 1922

Background imageDestruction Collection: Bombed St Thomas Hospital

Bombed St Thomas Hospital
The site of an air raid, which severely damaged St Thomas Hospital, London, May 1941. The Palace of Westminster and Big Ben can be seen across the Thames

Background imageDestruction Collection: Bouncing Bomb

Bouncing Bomb
Plans for Operation Chastise drawn by Sir Barnes Neville Wallis for the bouncing bomb used in the raid known as the Dambusters in World War II Date: c. 1943

Background imageDestruction Collection: Tinsley cooling towers demolition

Tinsley cooling towers demolition
Tinsley cooling towers being prepared for demolition. These towers were built in 1938 as part of the Blackburn Meadows power station and stood over 75 metres tall

Background imageDestruction Collection: Bomb damage, Birmingham 1942 OP09006

Bomb damage, Birmingham 1942 OP09006
HIGHGATE ROAD, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, West Midlands. Bomb damage photographed by James Nelson, 29th July 1942

Background imageDestruction Collection: St Brides Church, London 1941 BB69_02583

St Brides Church, London 1941 BB69_02583
FLEET STREET, London. St Brides Church was rebuilt to the designs of Sir Christopher Wren following the Great Fire of London

Background imageDestruction Collection: St Sidwells Church, Exeter 1942 BB42_03938

St Sidwells Church, Exeter 1942 BB42_03938
EXETER, Devon.The remains of St Sidwells Church on Sidwell Street after bomb damage during the Exeter blitz, photographed by Margaret Tomlinson in 1942

Background imageDestruction Collection: Bomb damage, Exeter BB42_00712

Bomb damage, Exeter BB42_00712
Exeter, Devon. A view looking towards the remains of the terrace of houses comprising numbers 25-36 Southernhay West showing bomb damage

Background imageDestruction Collection: GREAT FIRE OF LONDON, 1666. The Great Fire of London, England, 1666

GREAT FIRE OF LONDON, 1666. The Great Fire of London, England, 1666. Contemporary oil painting by a member of the Dutch School

Background imageDestruction Collection: Damage to Canterbury Cathedral Library, WW2 - Baedeker Blitz

Damage to Canterbury Cathedral Library, WW2 - Baedeker Blitz
" Canterbury under fire" - Damage sustained to the Cathedal LIbrary examined by Dr. Hewlett Johnson, Dean of Canterbury, by bombing on the city by German planes of the luftwaffe during WW2

Background imageDestruction Collection: Three American soldiers at a sidewalk cafe in Paris, France, following the Allied liberation of

Three American soldiers at a sidewalk cafe in Paris, France, following the Allied liberation of the city, August 1944
WORLD WAR II: PARIS, 1944. Three American soldiers at a sidewalk cafe in Paris, France, following the Allied liberation of the city, August 1944

Background imageDestruction Collection: Exeter bomb damage OP07079

Exeter bomb damage OP07079
EXETER CATHEDRAL, Cathedral Close, Exeter, Devon. View looking east towards Exeter Cathedral from the tower of St Mary Arches Church, showing an area of bomb damage following the bombing in 1942

Background imageDestruction Collection: BRUEGEL: TRIUMPH OF DEATH. Triumph of Death; tempera on panel, c1562, by Peter Bruegel the Elder

BRUEGEL: TRIUMPH OF DEATH. Triumph of Death; tempera on panel, c1562, by Peter Bruegel the Elder

Background imageDestruction Collection: Particle physics experiment, artwork

Particle physics experiment, artwork
Particle physics experiment. Artwork of tracks of particles detected following a collision in a particle accelerator. In these experiments

Background imageDestruction Collection: GODZILLA. A scene from one of the Godzilla movies

GODZILLA. A scene from one of the Godzilla movies

Background imageDestruction Collection: Exeter Cathedral bomb damage BB42_00740

Exeter Cathedral bomb damage BB42_00740
EXETER CATHEDRAL, Devon. On the night of 3-4 May 1942 a bomb fell on the Chapel of St James in the south choir aisle of the cathedral, causing considerable damage to the late 13th-century fabric

Background imageDestruction Collection: Bomb damage, Liverpool 1941 BB90_03807

Bomb damage, Liverpool 1941 BB90_03807
GREAT CHARLOTTE STREET, Liverpool. View of bomb damage and pedestrians going about their daily routines, May 1941

Background imageDestruction Collection: Card commemorating Graf Spee destruction, WW2

Card commemorating Graf Spee destruction, WW2
Card commemorating the destruction of the German cruiser, Admiral Graf Spee, on 13 December 1939 by HMS Exeter, Ajax and Achilles following the Battle of the River Plate. Date: 1939

Background imageDestruction Collection: GODZILLA. A scene from one of the Godzilla movies

GODZILLA. A scene from one of the Godzilla movies

Background imageDestruction Collection: Tinsley cooling towers demolition

Tinsley cooling towers demolition
Tinsley cooling towers being demolished. These towers were built in 1938 as part of the Blackburn Meadows power station and stood over 75 metres tall

Background imageDestruction Collection: GODZILLA. Godzilla destroying an oil refinery in one of the Japanese Godzilla movies

GODZILLA. Godzilla destroying an oil refinery in one of the Japanese Godzilla movies

Background imageDestruction Collection: City of London 1945

City of London 1945
A panorama of London by Cecil Brown, architect and painter, commenced in 1942, completed in 1945, showing the results of the wartime bombing of the area and dedicated to the citizens of London

Background imageDestruction Collection: The Battle of Ballinahinch, 13th June 1798, c. 1798 (oil on canvas)

The Battle of Ballinahinch, 13th June 1798, c. 1798 (oil on canvas)
TPG251597 The Battle of Ballinahinch, 13th June 1798, c.1798 (oil on canvas) by Robinson, Thomas (bef.1770-1810); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageDestruction Collection: Black hole

Black hole, computer artwork. Planets, moons, stars, radiation and other matter are all spiralling into the black hole, dragged by immense gravitational forces

Background imageDestruction Collection: Palace ruins at the Minoan archaeological site

Palace ruins at the Minoan archaeological site, Knossos, island of Crete, Greek Islands, Greece, Europe

Background imageDestruction Collection: Ruins of Ypres

Ruins of Ypres
Ruins of the cloth hall in Ypres, Belgium on the Western Front during World War I

Background imageDestruction Collection: St Giles Cripplegate CXP01_01_080

St Giles Cripplegate CXP01_01_080
St Giles Cripplegate, Fore Street, City of London. A view looking south-east across a bomb damaged landscape towards St Giles Cripplegate Church

Background imageDestruction Collection: Collingwood Street, Blackfriars CXP01_01_058

Collingwood Street, Blackfriars CXP01_01_058
COLLINGWOOD STREET, BLACKFRIARS, SOUTHWARK, GREATER LONDON. A view looking north-east along Collingwood Street, showing figures walking past weatherboarded cottages on the east side of the street

Background imageDestruction Collection: The Great Hall Norwich, 1942 a42_03739

The Great Hall Norwich, 1942 a42_03739
The Great Hall, Oak Street, Norwich, Norfolk. The interior of a first floor room in The Great Hall at Flowerpot Yard showing bomb damage

Background imageDestruction Collection: Oak Street Norwich, 1942 a42_03736

Oak Street Norwich, 1942 a42_03736
Oak Street, Norwich, Norfolk. The houses at 110 to 98 Oak Street showing bomb damage

Background imageDestruction Collection: Fenian bombing BL05153

Fenian bombing BL05153
THE RISING SUN, Great Scotland Yard, London W1. Bomb damage to Rising Sun pub, showing its windows blown out and staff standing beside a damaged carriage lying in a pile of rubble

Background imageDestruction Collection: The Fall of Babylon by John Martin (1789-1854). 1831. Nation

The Fall of Babylon by John Martin (1789-1854). 1831. National Library. Paris. France. Exposition Babylon. Louvre

Background imageDestruction Collection: Bombers of the German Luftwaffe in flight over London during the Battle of Britain

Bombers of the German Luftwaffe in flight over London during the Battle of Britain. Picture shows: Two Dornier 217s flying above fires started by bombs in the neighbourhood of Beckton gas works in

Background imageDestruction Collection: WW1 - White Chateau, Hollebeke in ruins

WW1 - White Chateau, Hollebeke in ruins
circa 1910s

Background imageDestruction Collection: Arch of Titus. Rome. Italy

Arch of Titus. Rome. Italy
Roman Art. Arch of Titus. Erected in the year 81 to commemorate the conquest of Titus against the Jews. It features carved scenes of the conquest and subsequent destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70)

Background imageDestruction Collection: CUBA: U. S. S. MAINE, 1898. Destruction of the U. S. Battleship Maine in Havana Harbor

CUBA: U. S. S. MAINE, 1898. Destruction of the U. S. Battleship Maine in Havana Harbor
CUBA: U.S.S. MAINE, 1898. Destruction of the U.S. Battleship Maine in Havana Harbor, 15 February 1898. Contemporary chromolithograph by Kurz & Allison

Background imageDestruction Collection: Bomb damage, London 1941 BL5947

Bomb damage, London 1941 BL5947
City of London. A figure stands amid destroyed and burnt-out buildings. The Brewers Hall in Aldermanbury was built in 1673 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London

Background imageDestruction Collection: The Sack of Rome by Visigoths in 410, 1890 (oil on canvas)

The Sack of Rome by Visigoths in 410, 1890 (oil on canvas)
5667111 The Sack of Rome by Visigoths in 410, 1890 (oil on canvas) by Sylvestre, Joseph-Noel (1847-1926); 197x130 cm; Musee Paul Valery, Sete

Background imageDestruction Collection: St Mary-le-Bow CXP01_01_082

St Mary-le-Bow CXP01_01_082
St Mary-le-Bow Church, Cheapside, City of London. A view looking north-east across a bomb damaged landscape towards St Mary-le-Bow Church

Background imageDestruction Collection: St Mary Aldermanbury CXP01_01_090

St Mary Aldermanbury CXP01_01_090
St Giles Cripplegate, Fore Street, City of London. A view looking north-west across a bomb damaged landscape towards St Giles Cripplegate Church in the distance with St Mary Aldemanbury on the right

Background imageDestruction Collection: The Great Hall Norwich, 1942 a42_03738

The Great Hall Norwich, 1942 a42_03738
The Great Hall, Oak Street, Norwich, Norfolk. The south elevation of The Great Hall at Flowerpot Yard showing bomb damage

Background imageDestruction Collection: St Martins Church in the Bull Ring, Birmingham the morning after a heavy air raid

St Martins Church in the Bull Ring, Birmingham the morning after a heavy air raid on the city. 10th April 1941

Background imageDestruction Collection: Troops assist rescue workers to release bomb victims trapped under the ruins of their

Troops assist rescue workers to release bomb victims trapped under the ruins of their homes in Scarborough Street, Hull May 1942

Background imageDestruction Collection: The morning after an air raid by the German Luftwaffe on Scarborough Street in the city

The morning after an air raid by the German Luftwaffe on Scarborough Street in the city of Hull, East Yorkshire. Though their home was totally destroyed

Background imageDestruction Collection: Aston Hall Gateway Birmingham, 1941 a42_00706

Aston Hall Gateway Birmingham, 1941 a42_00706
Aston Hall, Gateway, Witton Lane, Aston Park, Aston, Birmingham. The gateway and gate lodges at Aston Hall with the tower and spire of St Peter and St Pauls Church in the background

Background imageDestruction Collection: Horsefair Birmingham, 1941 a42_00440

Horsefair Birmingham, 1941 a42_00440
Colonial Buildings, 7 Horsefair, Ladywood, Birmingham. The premises of the Birmingham Tube and Fittings Company Limited on the corner of Horsefair and Windmill Street

Background imageDestruction Collection: Burra storm

Burra storm
Storm over an abandoned farmhouse near Burra, South Australia

Background imageDestruction Collection: Planet Earth on human hands, breaking down and crumbling

Planet Earth on human hands, breaking down and crumbling with fragments falling apart. Airbrush illustration

Background imageDestruction Collection: The Fall of the German airship L-21 by Fortunino Matania, WW1

The Fall of the German airship L-21 by Fortunino Matania, WW1
The destruction of the German Zeppelin L-21 over Cuffley, Hertfordshire after being shot down by Lieut. William Leefe Robinson on the night of 2nd/3rd September 1916

Background imageDestruction Collection: The Sygna

The Sygna is located on Stockton Beach and is the largest shipwreck ever to be washed up on the eastern coast of Sygna wreck off Stockton Beach Australia

Background imageDestruction Collection: Air Raid Ruined Buildings

Air Raid Ruined Buildings
12th May 1941: Buildings devastated during air raids near the dome of St Pauls Cathedral in the City. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Background imageDestruction Collection: An old man watches on as a shack in Kingsdown is demolished. 1936

An old man watches on as a shack in Kingsdown is demolished. 1936

Background imageDestruction Collection: Bombed London

Bombed London
circa 1940: Bomb damage sustained by the City of London. Tower Bridge can be seen in the background. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Background imageDestruction Collection: York North locomotive depot, London & North Eastern Railway, 29 April 1942

York North locomotive depot, London & North Eastern Railway, 29 April 1942
York North locomotive depot, London & North Eastern Railway. A4 locomotive 4-6-2 no. 4469 Sir Ralph Wedgwood damaged beyond repair as a result of a German air raid during the Second World War

Background imageDestruction Collection: (1874-1965). Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill. English statesman and writer

(1874-1965). Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill. English statesman and writer
WINSTON CHURCHILL (1874-1965). Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill. English statesman and writer. Prime Minister Churchill inspecting bomb damage in the Battersea area of London, England

Background imageDestruction Collection: American atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, 1946

American atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, 1946
ATOMIC BOMB TEST, 1946. American atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, 1946

Background imageDestruction Collection: LCC-LFB Aftermath of a major school fire, Hackney

LCC-LFB Aftermath of a major school fire, Hackney
A major fire destroyed over 50% of the school roof and a quarter of the first floor classrooms at the Hackney Downs School in East London

Background imageDestruction Collection: Aerial photograph of ruined suburbs, Arras, France, WW1

Aerial photograph of ruined suburbs, Arras, France, WW1
Aerial photograph (Canadian) of the ruined suburbs of Arras in northern France, taken from a kite balloon during the First World War. Date: November 1917

Background imageDestruction Collection: Earthquake damage in Armenia 1989

Earthquake damage in Armenia 1989
Earthquake damage. A group of US politicians visiting a damaged bread-baking factory in Armenia after the 1988 Spitak earthquake

Background imageDestruction Collection: Playing a piano amid the destruction - The Blitz

Playing a piano amid the destruction - The Blitz
One of the men working on debris clearance in London succeeded in wresting a tune from this battered piano - circa late 1940

Background imageDestruction Collection: Allegory of the Battle of Salamis, 1858 (oil on canvas)

Allegory of the Battle of Salamis, 1858 (oil on canvas)
2973583 Allegory of the Battle of Salamis, 1858 (oil on canvas) by Kaulbach, Wilhelm von (1805-74); length: 535 cm; Bayerische Landtag, Munich

Background imageDestruction Collection: The Vanishing Time

The Vanishing Time
Sandy Wijaya

Background imageDestruction Collection: A church service in the bombed out remains of Norwich Cathedral

A church service in the bombed out remains of Norwich Cathedral. Norwich was bombed as part of the Baedeker Raids against historic and beautiful cities such as Bath

Background imageDestruction Collection: V1 (Robotplane) damage at Arlington Road, Southgate, N14, London, 19th June 1944

V1 (Robotplane) damage at Arlington Road, Southgate, N14, London, 19th June 1944

Background imageDestruction Collection: The Dissolute Household, ca. 1663-64. Creator: Jan Steen

The Dissolute Household, ca. 1663-64. Creator: Jan Steen
The Dissolute Household, ca. 1663-64

Background imageDestruction Collection: Illustration depicting global warming

Illustration depicting global warming
Global warming. Computer artwork of Big Ben, London, England, flooded and in ruins, in a possible future. This is showing a rise in sea levels due to global warming

Background imageDestruction Collection: Types of war bombs in use by G. H. Davis

Types of war bombs in use by G. H. Davis
Instruments of destruction: types of war bombs in use during the Second World War. A comparative chart showing the various types, including the incendiary, the high explosive, the armour piercing

Background imageDestruction Collection: Illustration of imitating car crash using crash test dummy

Illustration of imitating car crash using crash test dummy

Background imageDestruction Collection: Peat cutting, Connemara, County Galway, Republic of Ireland, Europe

Peat cutting, Connemara, County Galway, Republic of Ireland, Europe

Background imageDestruction Collection: Nuclear Bomb Explosion, Nevada Test, 23rd July 1957

Nuclear Bomb Explosion, Nevada Test, 23rd July 1957

Background imageDestruction Collection: Seven Sopwith 2F1 Camels lined up on the deck of HMS Furious

Seven Sopwith 2F1 Camels lined up on the deck of HMS Furious prior to the raid on the Tondern airship sheds on 19 July 1918

Background imageDestruction Collection: Destruction of the County Hall, Nottingham, by Fire, Engraving 1876, Uk, Britain

Destruction of the County Hall, Nottingham, by Fire, Engraving 1876, Uk, Britain
DESTRUCTION OF THE COUNTY HALL, NOTTINGHAM, BY FIRE, ENGRAVING 1876, UK, britain, british, europe, united kingdom, great britain, european

Background imageDestruction Collection: Fire damage at Alexandra Palace, London

Fire damage at Alexandra Palace, London. On 10 July 1980 fire destroyed the Alexandra Palace in North London. This photograph is dated 19 July 1980

Background imageDestruction Collection: Athelney in Somerset, the most flooded village in England

Athelney in Somerset, the most flooded village in England
Athelney in Somerset, devastated by floods in 1930 showing the only method of travel around the area - in Venetian style, by boat

Background imageDestruction Collection: Numancia, 1881 (oil on canvas)

Numancia, 1881 (oil on canvas)
AIS5371933 Numancia, 1881 (oil on canvas) by Vera y Estaca, Alejo (1834-1923); Diputacion Provincial de Soria, Soria, Spain; (add.info)

Background imageDestruction Collection: Gen Wheelers entrenchment at Cawnpore, March 1858 (b / w photo)

Gen Wheelers entrenchment at Cawnpore, March 1858 (b / w photo)
NAM310697 Gen Wheelers entrenchment at Cawnpore, March 1858 (b/w photo) by Beato, Felice (Felix) (1825-c.1908); National Army Museum




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"Destruction: A Haunting Reminder of the Ravages of War" The Holland House library, once a sanctuary for knowledge and culture, reduced to rubble after a devastating air raid in BB83_04456. Amidst the chaos and destruction at New Cross, a woman finds solace in a simple cup of tea, symbolizing resilience amidst the ruins left by merciless air raids. Tinsley cooling towers stand as towering remnants of an industrial landscape scarred by bombings during wartime Sheffield, serving as haunting reminders of the destructive power unleashed upon innocent lives. A propaganda poster for the RAF captures both the heroism and devastation that war brings - showcasing their might while acknowledging the destruction it leaves behind. The City of London in 1945 bears witness to its own rebirth from ashes; buildings shattered but spirits unbroken, as hope rises amidst scenes of desolation. HMS Iron Duke witnessed firsthand the Great Fire of Smyrna in 1922 - an inferno that consumed an entire cityscape and forever etched into history as one of humanity's darkest moments. EVNT2A-00183 portrays an eerie aftermath where streets are lined with debris and broken structures serve as grim reminders that even mighty cities can crumble under relentless bombardment. St Thomas Hospital stands battered yet defiant after being targeted by enemy bombs - a testament to unwavering dedication towards healing amidst chaos and destruction. The Bouncing Bomb represents mankind's ingenuity turned weapon - capable not only inflicting widespread destruction but also altering warfare strategies forevermore through innovative engineering feats. Bruegel's "Triumph of Death" painting serves as a chilling reminder that destruction is not limited to wars alone; it lurks even within art itself, depicting mortality's triumph over life's fragility with vivid strokes on canvas.

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