IMMA presents a new exhibition of photography from the David Kronn Collection Donation

A new exhibition, from the exceptional photography collection donated to IMMA by Dr David Kronn, opens at the Irish Museum of Modern Art on Monday 28 October 2024. This display presents a selection of 130 works showcasing Dr Kronn’s longstanding commitment to building a diverse collection of photographic works for nearly 30 years.

Photography has held a lifelong fascination for Irish-born US-based collector Dr Kronn. A doctor specialising in medical genetics, his attraction to the scientific processes used in photography is not surprising. The donation contains examples of many photographic forms and media, from 19th century Daguerrotypes and albumen prints; the microphotography of Karl Blossfeldt from the 1920s; or pin-hole camera images by Adam Fuss from the 1980s.

Other themes that emerge throughout the collection include abstracted landscapes or seascapes; portraits of artists, such as August Sander’s image of Heinrich Hoerle at work in 1931; the portrait of Louise Bourgeois by Annie Leibovitz from 1997; and numerous iconic works, like Herb Ritts’s image of pop star Madonna from 1986. Irish artists showing as part of this exhibition include Alice Maher, Richard Mosse, and Ameila Stein and international photographers such as Harry Callahan who made work in Ireland in the 1970s.

Seán Kissane, Curator, IMMA said: “Currently there is no major collection of international photography collection housed in any Irish museum. Dr Kronn’s pledge to make IMMA the future home of his extensive collection, now over 1000 photographs, will position IMMA as a centre of research and a major force in the field”.

Photographers included are Slim Aarons; Berenice Abbott; Amy Arbus; Peter Arnell; Roger Ballen; Marion Belanger; Dominique Berretty; Karl Blossfeldt; Bill Brandt; Harry Callahan; Elinor Carucci; Vincent Cianni; Tillman Crane; Steve Crouch; Edward S. Curtis; William E. Davis; Michael Deines; Jack Delano; Josh Dennis; Mike Disfarmer; Doug Dubois; Dr Harold Edgerton; Alfred Ehrnhardt; Martine Franck; Gisèle Freund; Adam Fuss; Helen K. Garber; Mario Giacomelli; John Goldblatt; Mark Goodman; Pedro E. Guerrero; Philippe Halsman; Manuela Hofer; Chip Hooper; Rolfe Horn; Nicolai Howalt and Trine Søndergaard; Karel Otto Hruby; Robert Glenn Ketchum; Annie Leibovitz; Edwin Hale Lincoln; Eric Lindbloom; Alice Maher; Joel Meyerowitz; Bart Michiels; Richard Misrach; Inge Morath; Richard Mosse; Martin Munkacsi; Asako Narahashi; Simon Norfolk; Nigel Parry; Irving Penn; John Pfahl; Richard Quataert; Eugene Richards; Wynn Richards; Herb Ritts; Ron Rosenstock; Douglas Ryuije; August Sander; Paul Sepuya; Aaron Siskind; Rosalind Solomon; Frank Spadarella; Jerry Spagnoli; Jan Staller; Amelia Stein; Antanas Sutkus; Bob Thall; Terry Towery; Penelope Umbrico; Underwood; Todd Webb; Brett Weston; Ronald W. Wohlauer.

In close collaboration with the Collections Team at IMMA who are guiding the acquisition process, this is the fourth exhibition from the David Kronn Collection Donation, since 2011 IMMA has held three exhibitions from the Collection – Out of the Dark Room, Second Sight and Northern Light – showcasing over 300 works.

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Monica Cullinane E: [email protected] T: 086 2010023 
Patrice Molloy E: [email protected] T: 086 2009957 

Additional Information 

David Kronn Photography Collection Donation
28 October 2024 – 26 January 2025
Admission Free
Open: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10am – 5.30pm.
Wednesday: 11.30am – 5.30pm. Sunday: 12noon – 5.30pm.
Webpage: David Kronn Collection – IMMA  

IMMA Talk
In-Gallery Conversation with Dr David Kronn and Seán Kissane
Friday 1 November at 1.15pm / Drop-in / No booking required 
Join an in-gallery conversation with Dr David Kronn and IMMA curator Seán Kissane who will explore the photographers and themes in the exhibition.  

About Dr David Kronn
Born and brought up in Dublin, Dr David Kronn had an early interest in photography, learning to use a darkroom at his school camera club. He remained an active photographer while he was studying medicine at Trinity College Dublin and when his medical training took him to New York, this interest in photography developed into a passion for collecting pictures. Dr Kronn has shaped a collection, of over 1000 photographs, rich in content, genre and themes that encourages many readings.