A black and white photograph showing several people of West Indian descent, dressed smartly in suits, ties and wearing hats in a 1950s fashion, against railings in Victoria Station.

Exhibition:Picture Post: A Twentieth Century Icon

National Museum Cardiff
Finished

Information

24 May–9 November 2025
Cost Free
Suitability All

Before 24-hour news and social media, how did people see the world? In the 1930s, Picture Post revolutionized the way Britain understood itself. This groundbreaking photo-magazine captured everyday life, major events, and shifting social attitudes, reaching 1.7 million readers at its peak.

This exhibition brings Picture Post to life through striking photography, revealing Britain’s transformation from the 1930s to the 1950s. From war and politics to cultural change, discover the moments that defined a nation.

Experience the power of photography to inform, challenge, and connect—just as Picture Post did for a generation.

The exhibition has been developed in partnership with the Hulton Archive (Getty Images) and the Tom Hopkinson Centre for Media History (School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University). 

The exhibition is co-curated by Dr Tom Allbeson, Reader in Media and Photographic History, Cardiff University

Tickets

The exhibition is free and you can pre-book your tickets before visiting. If you’d like to play an active part in sharing the amazing stories of Wales, please consider making a donation – your donations help us to ensure that Amgueddfa Cymru can continue to host inspiring exhibitions.

This exhibition is generously supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.

Getty Images logo
  • A black and white photograph showing several people of West Indian descent, dressed smartly in suits, ties and wearing hats in a 1950s fashion, against railings in Victoria Station.
  • Town Planners, Middlesborough
  • Sheep being thrown into the stream in Hafod y Llan, Eryri
  • Picture Post: A Twentieth Century Icon Exhibition

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