Provenance

Richard and Judith Smooke

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The image shows a young man from the waist up, seated at a small round table. He faces the camera directly, has short dark hair, a full beard and mustache, and wears a checkered suit jacket over a waistcoat with a white shirt. He is holding a human skull in his right hand, which rests on the table covered in a patterned cloth. His left hand is placed on the skull. The background appears blurred, suggesting an outdoor setting with foliage.
Jean-Baptiste Frénet, A Vanitas, c. 1856, salted paper print, Eugene L. and Marie-Louise Garbáty Fund, 2001.111.4

A Vanitas

Jean-Baptiste Frénet · c. 1856 · salted paper print ·  Accession ID  2001.111.4

This is an image of a Ferris wheel and a sign. The Ferris wheel is shown with multiple cabins on its circular frame, taken from a low angle to emphasize its height and metal structure against the sky. In the foreground, a sign with bold letters and an arrow pointing left is partially visible. The image is in black and white, highlighting the composition and contrast of the elements.
Franz Weiser, Riesenrad (Ferris Wheel), 1929, gelatin silver print, The Marvin Breckinridge Patterson Fund for Photography, 2005.11.4

Riesenrad (Ferris Wheel)

Franz Weiser · 1929 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2005.11.4

The image shows a portrait of an older man from the chest up. He is facing slightly to his right and looking directly at the camera. The man has a mustache and short, neatly combed light-colored hair, with a clean-shaven face. He is dressed in a dark suit, a high-collared white shirt, and a tie. There is no visible jewelry, and he is not holding any objects. The background is a muted dark tone.
Alfred Stieglitz, Fred Varnum, 1906, platinum print, Gift of Richard and Judith Smooke, 1998.72.1

Fred Varnum

Alfred Stieglitz · 1906 · platinum print ·  Accession ID  1998.72.1

The image shows a man seated with a relaxed posture. He is wearing a suit with a high-collared shirt, tie, and buttoned jacket. The man has a distinct mustache and his hair is neatly parted to one side and hanging to about ear length. He is looking slightly downward. The background appears softly blurred.
Auguste Vacquerie, Charles-Victor Hugo, François-Paul Meurice, 1854, salted paper print, Gift of Richard and Judith Smooke, 1996.107.1

François-Paul Meurice

Auguste Vacquerie, Charles-Victor Hugo · 1854 · salted paper print ·  Accession ID  1996.107.1

This is a photograph of a shadow cast on a stone wall with plants in the foreground. The image captures the silhouette of a figure with an outstretched hand projected on a textured stone wall. In the foreground, there are tall plants growing from the ground and reaching upward, their outlines crisp against the shadow. The light and shadow contrast highlights the detailed texture of both the stone wall and the plants.
Ilse Bing, Self-Portrait, 1953, gelatin silver print, Gift of Richard and Judith Smooke, 2003.68.1

Self-Portrait

Ilse Bing · 1953 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2003.68.1

This is a photograph of a shadow cast on a paved surface. The image captures the shadow of a figure holding a long object against a flat, textured ground. The light source seems strong and positioned at an angle, creating a clear shadow on the grey surface. In the background, there is a grassy verge bordered by a curb, with poles or trees casting shadows on the grass.
Franz Weiser, Shattenspiel (Shadow play), 1928, gelatin silver print, Richard and Judith Smooke Fund, 2005.11.2

Shattenspiel (Shadow play)

Franz Weiser · 1928 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2005.11.2

This image shows a perspective view through an ornate wrought-iron gate onto a plaza or open area. The horizon is low, with a tall shadowy structure partially obscured by mist or fog in the distance. The gate is in sharp focus, showcasing intricate metalwork with vertical bars ending in pointed tips. Leafless trees frame the scene along the left side and the top. The color palette consists of grayscale tones, and the smooth pavement contrasts with the textured details of the architecture and natural elements.
Franz Weiser, Parktor-Rathaus (Park Gate, City Hall), 1929, gelatin silver print, Richard and Judith Smooke Fund, 2005.11.1

Parktor-Rathaus (Park Gate, City Hall)

Franz Weiser · 1929 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2005.11.1

The image displays irregular, jagged shapes resembling peeling paint across a dark, rough-textured surface, forming an abstract composition.
Aaron Siskind, Yuma 7 1949, 1949, gelatin silver print, Gift of Richard and Judith Smooke, 1997.124.2

Yuma 7 1949

Aaron Siskind · 1949 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  1997.124.2

This is a photograph of an old, narrow corridor lined with barred windows. The corridor features a long, arched passageway with weathered stone walls and a concrete floor marked with visible cracks. Iron gates at the end of the passage mirror those along the walls. The lighting is subdued, capturing the texture and age of the structure. In the corridor, there is a large tripod and an old-fashioned carrying case on the ground.
Max Yavno, Aaron Siskind Photographing at Old Yuma Jail, 1949, gelatin silver print, Gift of Richard and Judith Smooke, 1997.124.3

Aaron Siskind Photographing at Old Yuma Jail

Max Yavno · 1949 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  1997.124.3

This is a photograph of the underside of a large, riveted metal bridge with arching supports. The image shows an intricate framework of metal arches, beams, and support structures converging into a geometric composition. Light filters through the arches, creating contrast with the darker metal surfaces, revealing the texture of rivets and industrial detailing. The overall atmosphere highlights architectural strength and industrial beauty, showcasing the engineering of the structure.
Franz Weiser, Brücke (Bridge), 1930, gelatin silver print, Robert B. Menschel Fund, 2005.11.3

Brücke (Bridge)

Franz Weiser · 1930 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2005.11.3