Barbara Crane

American, 1928 - 2019

Explore selected works

See all 21 works of art
This is a photograph of the exterior of a modern multi-story building with a sleek, reflective glass facade. The image showcases the array of windows and architectural lines of the building, with a repeating geometric pattern. The structure has a curved design, and the black-and-white composition highlights varying shades of grey and adds depth and contrast. A streetlamp is visible at the bottom of the image.
Barbara Crane, Chicago Loop, 1978, gelatin silver print, Gift of John S. Parsley and Nancy Nolan Parsley, 2023.157.12

Chicago Loop

Barbara Crane · 1978 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.157.12

The image depicts intersecting diagonal and vertical lines forming an 'X' shape overlaid with a grid-like structure. The composition resembles scaffolding seen on construction sites. The textures and shadows created by sunlight give depth, while the lines evoke intersecting steel beams or support structures.
Barbara Crane, Chicago Loop, 1978, gelatin silver print, Gift of John S. Parsley and Nancy Nolan Parsley, 2023.157.14

Chicago Loop

Barbara Crane · 1978 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.157.14

The image displays broken slabs and wires arranged in an abstract pattern on a vertical surface. The structure is made of fragmented concrete, resembling a stack of shattered stone or a dilapidated wall. The wires and rebar create a crisscrossing grid. In the background, there are geometrical outlines resembling scaffolding or building supports. The setting suggests a partially demolished structure.
Barbara Crane, Chicago Loop, 1978, gelatin silver print, Gift of John S. Parsley and Nancy Nolan Parsley, 2023.157.13

Chicago Loop

Barbara Crane · 1978 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.157.13

The image shows a grid of rectangular shapes outlined by thick, dark lines on a building's exterior. The shapes resemble windows with some reflections and blinds visible. The intersecting lines and glass panes create an abstract pattern.
Barbara Crane, Chicago Loop, 1977, gelatin silver print, Gift of John S. Parsley and Nancy Nolan Parsley, 2023.157.11

Chicago Loop

Barbara Crane · 1977 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.157.11

The image displays an array of repeating rectangular shapes arranged in a diagonally descending pattern on one side, next to vertical lines on the adjacent side. This creates an abstract composition resembling the facade of a skyscraper with numerous windows. The sharp lines and repetitive forms may evoke an intricate grid or a series of keys on a typewriter, emphasizing a repetitive architectural rhythm.
Barbara Crane, Chicago Loop, 1977, gelatin silver print, Gift of John S. Parsley and Nancy Nolan Parsley, 2023.157.9

Chicago Loop

Barbara Crane · 1977 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.157.9

This is a photograph of an urban cityscape with several buildings. The image shows a row of multistory buildings with distinct architectural elements. On the left, there is a tall building with a modern facade of vertical stripes. In the center, there is an older building with a fire escape stairway and rows of windows framed by brickwork. In the foreground, there is a rooftop water tower in silhouette against the background. The black and white tones emphasize the textures and shapes in the scene.
Barbara Crane, Chicago Loop, 1977, gelatin silver print, Gift of John S. Parsley and Nancy Nolan Parsley, 2023.157.10

Chicago Loop

Barbara Crane · 1977 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.157.10

Barbara Crane, Beaches and Parks, Chicago, 1976, gelatin silver print, Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund, 2025.80.1

Beaches and Parks, Chicago

Barbara Crane · 1976 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2025.80.1

The image shows a woman stepping through a doorway. She is facing the camera with a neutral expression, wearing a long-sleeved top, dark trousers, and high-heeled shoes. She is holding a handbag and there is a necklace around her neck. In the background, another person is partially visible.
Barbara Crane, People of the North Portal, 1971, gelatin silver print, Gift of John S. Parsley and Nancy Nolan Parsley, 2023.157.4

People of the North Portal

Barbara Crane · 1971 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.157.4

The image shows two people. One person is visible from head to toe while the other is seen from behind, from head to knee. The person facing forward is walking out of a door, looking straight ahead. They have shoulder-length hair and wear a hat with a patterned band, a light-colored, shearling-lined jacket over a printed shirt, light-colored, patterned pants, and dark shoes. The other person, seen from behind, is wearing a patterned scarf on their head and a long coat with decorative embroidery and fur trim. The surroundings include a metal door frame and a shop or building entrance, as they are walking through an open doorway.
Barbara Crane, People of the North Portal, 1971, gelatin silver print, Gift of John S. Parsley and Nancy Nolan Parsley, 2023.157.6

People of the North Portal

Barbara Crane · 1971 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.157.6

The image shows a woman and a man from head to about mid-calf, exiting through a set of glass doors. The woman is on the left, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, glasses, a light-colored coat that reaches below her knees, and a dark dress underneath. She carries a dark handbag and appears to be clutching her coat. The man on the right wears glasses and is dressed in a formal suit with a tie, holding several pens in his pocket and a pin on his lapel. The background shows the doorway, with a blurred street scene visible through the glass door.
Barbara Crane, People of the North Portal, 1971, gelatin silver print, Gift of John S. Parsley and Nancy Nolan Parsley, 2023.157.8

People of the North Portal

Barbara Crane · 1971 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.157.8