Paper short abstract:

In this paper we are seeking to reveal what Jan Bułhak’s images of Vilnius tell us about interwar period monuments protection (its goals, values and means), how the goals, values of these to areas (photography and heritage protection) correlate in interwar Vilnius.

Paper long abstract:

Since 1913 till the end of Second World War Vilnius practically had one dominating photographer - Jan Bułhak (1876-1950). During the whole period and often in nowadays his photography was the only image which represents the city. The photographer who represents Vilnius images during the whole period had two main artistic directions/values. These are pictorial photography and national (Polish) photography. During interwar period Jan Bułhak not only created Vilnius images, taught photography in local university, but also actively took part in heritage protection activity. He was the main making inventory of Vilnius monuments and their preservation works for the archive of Vilnius conservator; he often was a member of various monuments protection boards. In this paper we are seeking to reveal what Jan Bułhak's images of Vilnius tell us about interwar period monuments protection (its goals, values and means), how the goals, values of these to areas (photography and heritage protection) correlate in interwar Vilnius.