Who is Letizia Battaglia?

Discover more about the life and work of acclaimed Italian photographer, Letizia Battaglia.

Peter Mitchell, born in 1943 in Manchester, England, is a leading figure in British documentary photography, particularly for his pioneering use of colour photography in the 1970s and 1980s. His work offers an intimate portrayal of urban landscapes, capturing the essence of Leeds – a city he has called home for over four decades.

Film still of Peter Mitchell sat at a desk.

Early life and education

Mitchell's formative years were spent in Catford, south east London, after his family moved there from Manchester shortly after he was born. From a young age, he loved to collect and document the world around him - habits that would later influence his photography. At 16, he began training as a cartographic draughtsman with the civil service, honing skills in architectural mapping and drawing. This technical background laid the foundation for his meticulous approach to photography. Seeking creative growth, Mitchell studied at Hornsey College of Art in London, where his interests in photography and typography flourished.

two older women sit on folding chair in front of a car.

In the early 1970s, Mitchell moved to Leeds to look for work and a lifelong connection with the city began. He initially worked as a truck driver, a job that allowed him to travel across Leeds. During his daily commutes, he began photographing factories, small shops, and everyday scenes, capturing the city's character during a period of significant change.

Colour photograph of the back of a house on a street. An old man in an apron stands on the street.

Max Babbin, Vulcan Street, Leeds, 1979. From the series A New Refutation of the Viking 4 Space Mission © Peter Mitchell

Pioneering colour photography

Mitchell's approach to photography was groundbreaking, particularly his use of colour during an era dominated by black-and-white imagery. His landmark exhibition, "A New Refutation of the Viking 4 Space Mission," held at Impressions Gallery in York in 1979, was the first colour photography show by a British photographer in a British photography gallery. His images of Leeds in dialogue with space charts and photographs from NASA's Viking 4 mission, imagined a unique perspective of an alien observing England. This imaginative narrative highlighted the ordinariness of everyday urban life, encouraging viewers to see their familiar surroundings in a new light.

Documenting urban transformation

A women who is grieving is being held up as she flops into the arms of a group of men and policemen. She is visibly distressed.

Letizia Battaglia, Three killers murdered the owner of the Hotel Riva Smeralda. The woman, not knowing who was killed, thinks it was her son. Capaci, 1980. Photo by Letizia Battaglia © Archivio Letizia Battaglia - all rights reserved

Throughout his career, Mitchell has been a dedicated chronicler of Leeds, focusing on its people, architecture, and the inevitable changes brought by time. He has always been fascinated by ‘the glory of the wreckage’. His series "Memento Mori" documents the demolition of the Quarry Hill Flats, once the largest social housing complex in the UK. Mitchell captured the essence of a community facing displacement, preserving the memory of a vanishing world. His photographs serve as both artistic expressions and historical records, reflecting the socio-economic shifts in urban England.

Colour photograph of a wardrobe with a mirror perched to the left of the wardrobe and a pair of heels in front.

Peter Mitchell, Priestly House, Quarry Hill Flats, 1978 © Peter Mitchell

Artistic philosophy and style

Mitchell describes himself as "a man of the pavement," emphasising his commitment to street-level perspectives and everyday subjects. His work is characterised by a deep warmth and empathy for his subjects, whether they are buildings, shopkeepers, or scarecrows. He believes that "photography is all about coincidences," capturing moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. This philosophy shows in his portraits of scarecrows, who he has described as his friends.