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Young boys
Johnston // County Louth :: Young boys
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What is happening in the photo?

Michael Johnston, who was born in Dundalk in 1906, is on the left. Both boys are wearing rosettes, which suggests that they have recently taken part in some kind of competetion, and been awarded for the performance. The children are very formally dressed, but seemingly not in studio, and there is, unfortunately, very little that can be definitively said about where they are, and why they are wearing the rosettes.

 

The clothing worn is typical of the early 1910’s – leather gloves, boots and caps suggest a winter scene.  Did the boy on the right place his hand on Michael’s knee under instruction? Who photographed this moment, and what occasion was being marked?  Like many photographs, this one is surrounded in ambiguity.

 
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