See Candid, Behind-The-Scenes Photos Of The City Of London

Participants in the 2014 Lord Mayor’s Show take a well-earned rest. © Martin Parr / Magnum Photos

A ceremonial mace getting its own seat in the car, footmen chilling out backstage, the new Lord Mayor of London looking altogether lonely in a marquee: a new exhibition due to open at Guildhall Art Gallery next year reveals candid images of the City’s pomp and ceremony.

Unseen City — which runs from 4 March-31 July 2016 — is the handiwork of the City of London’s photographer-in-residence Martin Parr. Since 2013 Parr has documented the life of the City, across three mayoralties, gaining access to a world of private ceremonies, ancient and modern traditions, processions, banquets and public occasions.

What makes the exhibition unique is the candid, behind-the-scenes nature of many of these photographs. Get a taster in our gallery below.

When Unseen City — the first major photographic exhibition at Guildhall Art Gallery — ends next summer, 20 of Parr’s photos will remain in the gallery’s permanent collection.

An event for the Worshipful Company of Carmen at the Guildhall in 2015. The Fraternyte of Seynt Katryne the Virgyn and Marter of Carters was established in 1517, with the vow to ‘clense, purge and kepe clene’ the streets, and carry goods at a reasonable price. © Martin Parr / Magnum Photos

The Lord Mayor’s mace gets its own seat at the St Matthew’s Day Parade, 2014. © Martin Parr / Magnum Photos

The swearing in of new Lord Mayor, Fiona Woolf in 2013. © Martin Parr / Magnum Photos

Getting wet at the Lord Mayor’s Show, 2013. © Martin Parr / Magnum Photos

Election of the Lord Mayor, Alan Yarrow in 2014. © Martin Parr / Magnum Photos

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See Candid, Behind-The-Scenes Photos Of The City Of London