David Plowden

American, 1932 - 2026

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The image shows a landscape with a railroad crossing and a gravel road intersecting diagonally. The scene includes the horizon, overcast sky with textured clouds, gravel road, utility poles, railroad tracks, clouds, gravel texture, wooden railroad ties, monochromatic color palette, and a railroad crossing sign.
David Plowden, 611 182, Jackson Township, Webster County, Iowa, 2011, printed 2017, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.53

611 182, Jackson Township, Webster County, Iowa

David Plowden · 2011, printed 2017 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.53

The image shows a flat landscape with a long train extending across it. The horizon is high in the frame, with the train below it and stretching into the distance. The sky above is cloudy and blurred. The color scheme is mainly grey, with a textured field in the foreground. The composition highlights the train's linearity and the vast open space.
David Plowden, 610 123, Union Pacific Railroad Westbound Grain Train, West of Sharon Springs, Kansas, 2010, printed 2022, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.59

610 123, Union Pacific Railroad Westbound Grain Train, West of Sharon Springs, Kansas

David Plowden · 2010, printed 2022 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.59

This is a photograph of a large industrial machine with a focus on a massive wheel and connecting rods. The photograph captures the intricate details of an enormous steam locomotive wheel, showcasing the mechanical components including circular metal parts, rods, and bolts. The wheel is part of a complex assembly with shiny metal rods extending across it. The surface of the wheel appears slightly weathered, with signs of use. In the foreground, there is a metal bucket placed on the gravel ground, emphasizing the size of the machinery. The overall tone of the photograph is monochromatic, highlighting the textures and forms of industrial elements with sharp contrasts and detailed shadows.
David Plowden, 604 478, Man Working on Driving Wheels, Former Milwaukee Railroad Locomotive Number 261, Chicago, Illinois, 2004, printed 2017, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.57

604 478, Man Working on Driving Wheels, Former Milwaukee Railroad Locomotive Number 261, Chicago, Illinois

David Plowden · 2004, printed 2017 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.57

This is an image showing a detailed view of a steam locomotive's machinery. It displays the locomotive's wheel and cylinder assembly, including pistons, connecting rods, and various mechanical parts. The components are polished and well-maintained. The image is in black and white, emphasizing the metal parts' textures and complexity. The label "ENGINE OIL" is visible in the image.
David Plowden, 604 828, Crosshead Detail, Former Milwaukee Railroad Locomotive Number 261, Chicago, Illinois, 2004, printed 2014, gelatin silver print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.58

604 828, Crosshead Detail, Former Milwaukee Railroad Locomotive Number 261, Chicago, Illinois

David Plowden · 2004, printed 2014 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.58

This is a photograph of an industrial site with an abandoned steel mill. The image shows a large, derelict steel structure with chimneys, pipelines, and rusted metal components, near a body of water. The foreground displays tracks leading to the site, along with scattered debris and rubble. The photograph likely appears in black and white, emphasizing the dilapidated state of the industry.
David Plowden, 785 769, Demolished Blast Furnace, Bethlehem Steel, Lackawanna Works, Lackawanna, New York, 1985, printed 2016, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.7

785 769, Demolished Blast Furnace, Bethlehem Steel, Lackawanna Works, Lackawanna, New York

David Plowden · 1985, printed 2016 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.7

The image shows an industrial scene with metal structures and a large trough-like section upheld by diagonal beams. Below the structure is a dark granular material, potentially coal, being poured out, creating a dust cloud. The background displays a distant landscape with a horizon line near the top third of the image. The color scheme is mainly gray and black, emphasizing texture, with smoke or dust rising from the material.
David Plowden, 685 1400, Minntac Taconite Processing Plant, U.S. Steel Minntac, Mesabi Range, Minnesota, 1985, printed 2016, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.14

685 1400, Minntac Taconite Processing Plant, U.S. Steel Minntac, Mesabi Range, Minnesota

David Plowden · 1985, printed 2016 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.14

The image displays an industrial complex with metallic railings, geometric structures, overhead conveyors, interconnected steel frameworks, and billows of smoke or steam. The scene is captured from a low vantage point looking slightly upward, emphasizing the monochromatic palette of grayscale. The photograph shows a rigid and industrial environment with clear, detailed features.
David Plowden, C483 441, U.S. Steel Company Coke Plant, Gary, Indiana, 1983, printed 2016, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.16

C483 441, U.S. Steel Company Coke Plant, Gary, Indiana

David Plowden · 1983, printed 2016 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.16

The image shows an industrial scene with large cylindrical structures and a network of pipes. The structures rise above mounds of material, defining the horizon line. The color palette is monochromatic with various shades of gray, emphasizing the industrial atmosphere. The surfaces of the structures and the piled material show contrasting textures.
David Plowden, JL 482 3, Jones and Laughlin Steel Company, Indiana Harbor Works, East Chicago, Indiana, 1982, printed 2016, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.41

JL 482 3, Jones and Laughlin Steel Company, Indiana Harbor Works, East Chicago, Indiana

David Plowden · 1982, printed 2016 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.41

The image shows an industrial scene captured from a slightly elevated angle. Large structures and smokestacks dominate the horizon, emitting smoke into the sky. Train tracks, some with freight cars, are in the foreground, with a puddle reflecting light. Mounds of dirt or coal are visible to the right with tire tracks imprinted on them. The color palette is monochromatic, with shades of gray emphasizing an industrial mood.
David Plowden, Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Yards and U.S. Steel Corporation Coke Ovens, Gary, Indiana, 1982, printed 2017, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.45

Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Yards and U.S. Steel Corporation Coke Ovens, Gary, Indiana

David Plowden · 1982, printed 2017 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.45

The image is taken from an elevated position overlooking an industrial setting. The composition shows large industrial steel framework structures dominating the scene, surrounded by raw materials and factory buildings. A person is seen walking along a road.
David Plowden, JL 482 24, Jones and Laughlin Steel Company, Indiana Harbor Works, Looking Toward Inland Steel Company, East Chicago, Indiana, 1982, printed 2022, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.43

JL 482 24, Jones and Laughlin Steel Company, Indiana Harbor Works, Looking Toward Inland Steel Company, East Chicago, Indiana

David Plowden · 1982, printed 2022 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.43