Provenance

David Plowden

American, 1932 - 2026

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In the image, an elderly man stands on a train platform holding a tool that resembles a pickaxe. He is upright, wearing a fedora-style hat and glasses, and dressed in a dark suit with a button-up jacket. The surroundings include a wet platform with puddles, a wooden bench, building siding, and train tracks leading to a tunnel. The background features misty hills and light poles along the platform edge.
David Plowden, 361, Station Agent Waiting to Hoop Orders to Eastbound Freight Train, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, 1961, printed 2012, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.55

361, Station Agent Waiting to Hoop Orders to Eastbound Freight Train, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia

David Plowden · 1961, printed 2012 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.55

The image shows an industrial facility with large cylindrical structures. There are towering metal silos or tanks, likely part of a factory or refinery setup. The cylindrical structures have riveted metal surfaces, with shadows and reflections indicating sunlight. Piping, walkways, and metal scaffolding are integrated with the silos. The monochromatic tones emphasize the industrial nature and perhaps the historical significance, suggesting a focus on the architectural and mechanical aesthetics of the industrial era.
David Plowden, IS 1246, Inland Steel Company Blast Furnace Stoves, Indiana Harbor Works, East Chicago, Indiana, 1979, printed 2016, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.27

IS 1246, Inland Steel Company Blast Furnace Stoves, Indiana Harbor Works, East Chicago, Indiana

David Plowden · 1979, printed 2016 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.27

This is a photograph of an industrial scene. The image shows a worker wearing protective gear in a factory setting. The worker is wearing a long protective coat, helmet, and face shield while engaged in a task. Heavy chains hang from above, and the background is filled with fog or steam. The setting includes concrete structures and metal components. The monochromatic color scheme emphasizes the dramatic interplay of light and shadows in the scene.
David Plowden, IS 2429, Inland Steel Company, Puddler in Blast Furnace Cast House, East Chicago, Indiana, 1979, printed 2016, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.36

IS 2429, Inland Steel Company, Puddler in Blast Furnace Cast House, East Chicago, Indiana

David Plowden · 1979, printed 2016 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.36

This is a photograph of a steam locomotive. The image captures a detailed view of the mechanical components of a large, robust steam locomotive. The photograph's focus is on the large wheels, pistons, pipes, and joints that make up the undercarriage of the train. The metallic surfaces are covered with a layer of grime and oil. The photograph uses a black and white palette, emphasizing the rugged and functional design of early industrial machinery. The composition of the photograph draws attention to the complexity and intricacies of the locomotive's mechanics.
David Plowden, CNR 360 559, Engineer Oiling Locomotive, Prior to Departure from Hamilton, Ontario, 1959, printed 1995, gelatin silver print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.50

CNR 360 559, Engineer Oiling Locomotive, Prior to Departure from Hamilton, Ontario

David Plowden · 1959, printed 1995 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.50

The image shows an industrial scene with large structures dominating the upper section. The camera is positioned low to the ground on a railway track leading towards the center. To the left are towering structures, while on the right side, there are cylindrical containers. The color palette is monochromatic, mostly gray. Some smoke or steam is visible, adding depth to the scene.
David Plowden, IS 859, Inland Steel Company, beneath Blast Furnaces, Indiana Harbor Works, East Chicago, Indiana, 1979, printed 2017, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.24

IS 859, Inland Steel Company, beneath Blast Furnaces, Indiana Harbor Works, East Chicago, Indiana

David Plowden · 1979, printed 2017 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.24

The image shows a top-down view of a series of undulating, rounded hills stretching into the distance. The horizon is high in the composition, creating depth. The hills have a soft and even texture, resembling mounds of material like sand or gravel. The black and white color palette adds drama, with deep shadows enhancing the hills' contours. Subtle light and shade gradients suggest variations in the terrain. The monochromatic scheme emphasizes the forms and contrasts in the landscape.
David Plowden, 679 17, Piles of Taconite at Great Northern Railway, Superior, Wisconsin, 1979, printed 2016, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.9

679 17, Piles of Taconite at Great Northern Railway, Superior, Wisconsin

David Plowden · 1979, printed 2016 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.9

The image shows a large, industrial steel bridge with a symmetrical view. The bridge is made of metal girders and trusses creating a mesh pattern, giving depth and perspective. The pathway on the bridge is made of cobblestones leading to the central vanishing point. The sky is overcast, with minimal elements visible on the horizon and indistinct landscape features on the left side. The monochromatic color palette highlights the textures and structural details of the metal surfaces.
David Plowden, PB 567 009, The Point Bridge, Monongahela River, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Since Demolished), 1967, printed later, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.2

PB 567 009, The Point Bridge, Monongahela River, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Since Demolished)

David Plowden · 1967, printed later · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.2

The image shows multiple train tracks stretching into the distance. Closest to us is a steam locomotive with the number 2663 emitting steam. A tanker car marked "Canadian Pacific" is to the right and in the distance, the horizon is visible through the steam. The surroundings are covered in snow and train structures can be seen. The scene is depicted in a monochromatic palette with contrasts of black, white, and gray. Strong lines are formed by the train tracks and steam, capturing an industrial railway setting in a cold environment.
David Plowden, CPR 360, Freight Yard and Engine at Terminal, Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, 1960, printed 2022, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.64

CPR 360, Freight Yard and Engine at Terminal, Lac-Mégantic, Quebec

David Plowden · 1960, printed 2022 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.64

This is a photograph of industrial machinery in a factory setting. The image features two large machines with large gears and hydraulic systems. The machines are labeled with "UNITED." They appear worn with grime and oil stains. Water jets are flowing onto the machinery, potentially for cooling purposes. The image conveys industrial power and mechanical intricacies in manufacturing. The tone of the image is monochromatic.
David Plowden, IS 2114, Inland Steel Company, Finishing Stands 80″ Hot Strip Mill, Indiana Harbor Works, East Chicago, Indiana, 1979, printed later, gelatin silver print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.33

IS 2114, Inland Steel Company, Finishing Stands 80″ Hot Strip Mill, Indiana Harbor Works, East Chicago, Indiana

David Plowden · 1979, printed later · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.33

This is a photograph of a railway station platform with a train partly visible. The image captures a scene at a bustling train station platform. A portion of a train marked with the word "Pullman" is on the left side of the image, where steam is billowing around. The platform is covered by an iron beamed roof, with arches and a series of ornate, ribbed, cylindrical columns running alongside. A clock hangs prominently from a small structure labeled "NEWS STAND" on the right side of the image, displaying the time as just after five o'clock. The foreground includes an empty wooden cart with large wheels. Signs for waiting areas and the ticket office can be glimpsed in the background.
David Plowden, PA 164 292, Westbound Phoebe Snow, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 1964, printed 2015, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.79

PA 164 292, Westbound Phoebe Snow, Scranton, Pennsylvania

David Plowden · 1964, printed 2015 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.79