Provenance

Gordon Parks

American, 1912 - 2006

Photographer Gordon Parks captured life in the United States across six decades. His work shone a light on Black communities, celebrities, and civil rights leaders. Parks was born in the segregated community of Fort Scott, Kansas, in 1912. He bought his first camera while working as a dining car waiter for the Northern Pacific Railway.

Parks discovered documentary photography perusing magazines left behind by railway passengers. He approached Life magazine in 1948 to propose a story on Harlem gangs. The following year his first photo essay was published: Harlem Gang Leader Red Jackson’s Life Is One of Fear, Frustration, and Violence.

Over the next two decades, Parks did nearly 300 assignments for Life, where he was the first and only Black photographer on staff. The profound humanity depicted in his work crossed racial barriers. Through his powerful stories, viewers gained insight into the lives of his subjects. Parks used striking compositions and acute attention to detail to offer social commentary and provoke reflection.

Explore selected works

See all 229 works of art
This is a photograph of a fishing boat at sea. The image shows a small fishing vessel with people and equipment, operating near a larger vessel. The ocean is dynamic, with waves hitting the small boat. There are marine elements like ropes, nets, and a weathered wooden boat, creating a working atmosphere. The monochrome tone of the photograph gives a timeless quality to the scene.
Gordon Parks, Gloucester fishermen pulling in their nets to bring their catch nearer to the surface so the dip net can transfer them to the big boat. Gloucester, Massachusetts, June 1943, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2016.117.265

Gloucester fishermen pulling in their nets to bring their catch nearer to the surface so the dip net can transfer them to the big boat. Gloucester, Massachusetts

Gordon Parks · June 1943 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.265

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Moments Without Proper Names

Gordon Parks · 1988 · 16mm color film ·  Accession ID  2016.117.275

The image shows silhouettes of horse riders passing along the low horizon. The dark figures on horseback are visible against swirling clouds in the vast sky, with a monochrome color palette of deep blacks and various shades of gray. Lighting suggests a time close to dusk or dawn, enhancing the visual impact.
Gordon Parks, Wild Horses, Portugal, 1950, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2016.117.272

Wild Horses, Portugal

Gordon Parks · 1950 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.272

The image shows a young person lying on their side in bed, covered by a thick blanket that conceals most of their body, leaving only a portion of their face visible. Their eyes are closed, indicating they are asleep. The person has short hair, and their head rests on a striped pillow. There are no visible jewelry or objects in their hands. The background features a wall with visible damage, including peeling paint and holes that reveal lath strips beneath. The bed is positioned near a window, which is partially visible to the right side of the image.
Gordon Parks, Norman Fontenelle, 1967, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2015.19.4677

Norman Fontenelle

Gordon Parks · 1967 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2015.19.4677

This is a photograph of an urban street scene with a large mural. The image captures a street that slopes downhill, with parts of the sidewalk and road visible, including tracks for a tram. On a building wall in the background, there is an intricate mural showing figures, trees, and a scenic landscape painted on it. The mural includes a person in a robe standing by an archway, surrounded by greenery and trees, creating an illusion of depth and altering the perception of space. The right side of the image is a dark silhouette, contrasting with the brightly lit mural and street surface. The lettering "The Patio" is visible on the upper right side of the mural, indicating possible significance to the mural's location. Elements like a window with plants and pots are integrated into the mural.
Gordon Parks, Street Scene, San Francisco, c. 1969, chromogenic print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2016.117.268

Street Scene, San Francisco

Gordon Parks · c. 1969 · chromogenic print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.268

The image features rich red tones with a large oval shape in the foreground, soft blended edges. Dark spots resembling seeds are scattered near the center. Above, angular and curved lines sweep across in lighter shades, giving a sense of depth and movement. A subtle hint of blue near the top breaks the dominance of red.
Gordon Parks, Watermelon, c. 1967-1969, dye imbibition print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2016.117.269

Watermelon

Gordon Parks · c. 1967-1969 · dye imbibition print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.269

This is a photograph of a market scene. The image shows a bustling marketplace with various produce items visible in the background. At the center of the image, there is a display with hand-written signs showing prices for different products. The atmosphere is lively, with goods arranged in crates and baskets, some covered with paper. The image emphasizes the traditional and vibrant nature of local market commerce.
Gordon Parks, Market Day, Rue Mouffetard, on the Left Bank, Paris, 1951, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2015.19.4672

Market Day, Rue Mouffetard, on the Left Bank, Paris

Gordon Parks · 1951 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2015.19.4672

This is a photograph of a city square with cars, an obelisk, a fountain, and street lamps. A building with a dome and spires is visible against a cloudy sky. The image is in black and white.
Gordon Parks, Place de la Concorde, Paris, 1951, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2016.117.264

Place de la Concorde, Paris

Gordon Parks · 1951 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.264

This is a photograph of a dimly lit hallway with two individuals in suits at the end. The hallway is narrow with smooth walls showing scratches and marks. At the end of the hall, there is a door which the two individuals are interacting with; one has their foot raised. The overhead lighting includes a bulb with visible wires, casting shadows along the ceiling and walls. The image is in black and white, emphasizing the textures within the space.
Gordon Parks, Crime, 1957, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2016.117.266

Crime

Gordon Parks · 1957 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.266

This is a photograph of an outstretched hand with fingers splayed. The image is in black and white, capturing the hand in sharp detail against a blurred background. The lighting highlights the textures of the skin and the shape of the fingers, drawing focus to the hand itself as the central subject of the photograph. The rest of the image is softly focused, suggesting a shallow depth of field and creating a sense of isolation around the hand. The photograph uses contrast effectively to emphasize the form and gesture of the hand.
Gordon Parks, Muslim Rally, 1963, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2016.117.267

Muslim Rally

Gordon Parks · 1963 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.267