Douglas, Insel Man, Aussicht auf den Kafen (Douglas Internment Camp)
Date made: 1918
Description: A blue printed etching showing an exterior view of Douglas Internment Camp with a group of bell tents and a hut next to the camp's perimeter fence. The view from the camp is over Douglas Bay to Douglas Head and the harbour entrance and the artist is stood in the gardens with flowerbeds and a deckchair in the foreground. The etching is entitled 'Douglas, Insel Man, Aussicht auf den Kafen' and signed 'F.Nettel 18'.
The etchings belonged to donor's uncle, Wilhelm Hess, of Rudersheim, am Rhein, Germany (c.1870-c.1950). Wilhelm Hess arrived in Britain in 1912-13, importer of haberdashery for hats (feathers and ribbons). Donor was niece of original owners's wife. He was training to be in the wine trade and went back to Germany after the First World War to his wife.
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: 23.5 cm x 28 cm
Materials: paper
Object name: etching
Collection: Art Collection
ID number: 2008-0023/3
Subject tags : #WW1INTERNMENTMUSEUMCOLLECTIONS