Provenance

Betsy Karel

Frampton, Betsy

American, born 1946

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The image shows a woman leaning over a hospital bed and embracing a person lying in the bed. The woman's upper body is visible as she leans forward with her curly hair cascading over her shoulders. Her face is partially obscured, and her hair is held back with a hair clip. She wears a knit sweater and has rings on her finger as she cradles the head of the person in the bed. In the background, another woman is partially visible, standing to the right with her hand covering her mouth, wearing glasses, a badge, and dark clothing. The setting is a hospital room with a bed, a curtain behind, and a wall cabinet with some items placed on it. The scene is captured in black and white.
Betsy Karel, Boston (Sharon Morrison, a nurse with the Family Team at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, has a special fondness and respect for this young mother and her daughter. She marvels at the calm and loving manner of the mother and the corresponding spirit of joy and playfulness in her child. The little girl is about to undergo emergency brain surgery to replace a shunt.), 1999, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Betsy K. Karel), 2015.19.5107

Boston (Sharon Morrison, a nurse with the Family Team at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, has a special fondness and respect for this young mother and her daughter. She marvels at the calm and loving manner of the mother and the corresponding spirit of joy and playfulness in her child. The little girl is about to undergo emergency brain surgery to replace a shunt.)

Betsy Karel · 1999 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2015.19.5107

The image shows a portrait of a woman. She is standing and looking directly at the camera with a calm expression. Her facial features are softly illuminated and distinct, with prominent dark eyes. Her long, thick, dark hair cascades down, contrasting against the darker background. Her attire includes a garment adorned with a row of armadillo tails or shells draped over her chest. She holds this garment in place with both hands, gripping it by the straps. Behind her, the background is dark and out of focus, placing emphasis on her and the natural textures of her clothing and hair.
Flor Garduño, La Mujer, Juchitán, Mexico (The Woman, Juchitán, Mexico), 1987, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Betsy Karel), 2015.19.5220

La Mujer, Juchitán, Mexico (The Woman, Juchitán, Mexico)

Flor Garduño · 1987 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2015.19.5220

The image depicts the lower bodies of two individuals seated side by side. The person on the left has one foot in a basin of water and is drying the other foot with a towel, while the person on the right has both feet submerged in a soapy basin. Their hands are interlocked on their lap. The person on the left wears a long-sleeved textured sweater and has a watch on their left wrist, while the person on the right is dressed in a graphic t-shirt and cuffed jeans. On the floor are a pair of black Adidas sneakers with socks, a bag, and towels. The background consists of a white and dark two-tone wall with a speckled tile floor.
Betsy Karel, Boston (One way in which the staff at the Pine Street Inn tries to establish relationships of trust with their homeless clientele is by encouraging them to have foot soaks at the end of the day. Afterwards, they are given clean socks and, if necessary, new shoes. The nurses have often found that over a period of time, their guests relax enough during these sessions to tell them what is on their minds.), 1999, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Betsy K. Karel), 2015.19.5109

Boston (One way in which the staff at the Pine Street Inn tries to establish relationships of trust with their homeless clientele is by encouraging them to have foot soaks at the end of the day. Afterwards, they are given clean socks and, if necessary, new shoes. The nurses have often found that over a period of time, their guests relax enough during these sessions to tell them what is on their minds.)

Betsy Karel · 1999 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2015.19.5109

This is a photograph of a shop window with reflections on the glass. The image captures the corner of a shop window, with the glass reflecting a blurred silhouette. There is a hint of a handbag and possibly a newspaper or document partially visible behind a coat. The reflection also shows a blurred street scene with a stroller and the legs of a person walking by. The perspective focuses on the glass, adding a sense of depth and dimension to the photo. The black and white coloring contributes to a timeless and classic feel, emphasizing contrast and texture in the scene.
Saul Leiter, Begging, c. 1949, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Betsy Karel), 2016.22.327

Begging

Saul Leiter · c. 1949 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.22.327

The image features a woman from the waist up, slightly off-center and facing the viewer. She stands with her head turned slightly to the side. She has high cheekbones, a calm expression, and short, neatly cropped hair. She wears a dark outfit with a loose, textured overcoat and a pearl necklace. In her hands, she holds a wide-brimmed straw hat at waist level. The background has a large, dark, textured surface with a bold, curving abstract line framing her figure.
Brian Lanker, Toni Morrison, 1996, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Betsy Karel), 2015.19.5225

Toni Morrison

Brian Lanker · 1996 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2015.19.5225

The image shows an elevated view looking down at a rectangular section of land outlined with a white border. Within this area, there are labeled sections that appear to be part of a garden or experimental plot. To the left, a man in uniform stands next to a large board with print. Beyond the outlined section, there is an open landscape that stretches into the distance, with the horizon line positioned fairly high in the image. The sky above is overcast, creating a monochromatic color palette of muted grays and whites.
Elliott Erwitt, Near Moscow, USSR, 1966, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Betsy Karel), 2015.19.5218

Near Moscow, USSR

Elliott Erwitt · 1966 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2015.19.5218

The image shows a man and a woman standing close together in the center of a room. The man is positioned slightly to the left, with his arm wrapped around the woman, who stands on his right with her arms folded. The man has unkempt hair while the woman has styled back long hair. Both wear casual, somewhat worn clothing. The man is in a dark shirt and pants, and the woman is in a light-colored, short-sleeve top with dark pants. The floor around them is wooden, and on their left side, a young child lies on the floor wearing a shirt and shorts. A television with a wire antenna is on the floor near the child, displaying an indistinct figure. Piles of clothing cover an armchair, an ironing board holds an iron and other items, and more fabric is strewn about the room. The background features a bay window with light floral curtains, allowing some light into the room, casting gentle shadows. Other assorted furniture and clutter are seen in the space.
Bruce Davidson, Magnum Photos, The New Jersey Meadows, 1965, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Betsy Karel), 2015.19.5216

The New Jersey Meadows

Bruce Davidson, Magnum Photos · 1965 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2015.19.5216

This is a photo of two individuals interacting in an interior space. A man in a heavy coat and boots sits on a patterned floor, holding a cigarette. Another person stands beside him with a drink in hand, leaning against a heater. The setting includes a rough, textured floor and a beverage bottle on a flat surface. The photo captures a moment of casual conversation between the two individuals. The monochromatic tones give the image a gritty and candid quality, evoking daily life in an urban environment.
Betsy Karel, Boston (Night at an ATM kiosk.), 1999, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Betsy K. Karel), 2015.19.5099

Boston (Night at an ATM kiosk.)

Betsy Karel · 1999 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2015.19.5099

Two men are shown inside a cell. One man on the right is partially visible through the bars, with short, dark hair and a profile view. He is shirtless and standing close to the wall with his hand near his face. The other man is seated on the lower bunk bed, with neatly styled dark hair and holding an object. The bunk has white sheets and there is a framed photograph behind it, as well as a barred window with sunlight coming through, a small fan on the windowsill, and curtains on each side of the window.
Danny Lyon, Six Wing Cell Block, Ramsey Prison Texas, 1968, printed 1995, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Betsy Karel), 2015.19.5226

Six Wing Cell Block, Ramsey Prison Texas

Danny Lyon · 1968, printed 1995 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2015.19.5226

The image shows the upper half of a man with a cigarette in his mouth, surrounded by smoke. His facial features are shadowed due to the lighting. He has short hair and wears a light-colored shirt over a white undershirt, with the collar slightly open. Behind him, a second man stands in the background with a bare chest, leaning against a table with his hand resting on it. The setting is illuminated by warm, orange-red and intense green tinted light coming from a large window with frosted glass panels. Other people are seated at tables in the background, with one person holding a bottle.
Alex Webb, Grenada, 1979, silver dye bleach print, Corcoran Collection (Gift of Betsy Karel), 2015.19.5233

Grenada

Alex Webb · 1979 · silver dye bleach print ·  Accession ID  2015.19.5233