Provenance

David Plowden

American, 1932 - 2026

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The image shows an urban street view from a slight downward angle. A car is parked on the right side of the street, facing the viewer, with another car further down. In the distance, an industrial skyline with factory buildings, smokestacks, and electrical wires is visible. The sky has a light haze, adding depth. Commercial signs, including brands like Pepsi and 7Up, restaurant and billiard room ads, are on building façades on the right. The medium used is photography, capturing details like weathered bricks and utility wires. The monochrome palette accentuates contrasts between man-made structures and shadows from the haze, creating a somber or industrial tone.
David Plowden, View Street Leading to Steel Works, Youngstown, Ohio, 1973, printed later, gelatin silver print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.48

View Street Leading to Steel Works, Youngstown, Ohio

David Plowden · 1973, printed later · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.48

This is a photograph of a steel arch bridge. The image shows the lattice and truss structures that form the bridge's supporting arches. The photograph is in black and white, depicting the contrast between the metallic surfaces of the bridge and the surrounding environment. The perspective emphasizes the curves and patterns created by the intersecting metal beams, showcasing the engineering complexity and strength of the bridge's design.
David Plowden, GFB 68 3921, Former Highway, Colorado River, Topock, Arizona, 1968, printed 1992, gelatin silver print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.5

GFB 68 3921, Former Highway, Colorado River, Topock, Arizona

David Plowden · 1968, printed 1992 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.5

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 a wide, low-angle shot of a vast grass field extending to a distant horizon. The horizon cuts across the frame, with a train running parallel to it. The sky is filled with dark clouds, creating a dramatic atmosphere. The image is in grayscale, emphasizing contrasts and texture, with various shades of grey in the clouds and grass. The composition is simple, conveying a sense of space and movement.
David Plowden, GFB 68 1384, Great Northern Railway, Westbound Freight Train, West of Havre, Montana, 1968, printed 2022, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.77

GFB 68 1384, Great Northern Railway, Westbound Freight Train, West of Havre, Montana

David Plowden · 1968, printed 2022 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.77

This is a photograph of a steam locomotive on a railway track. The locomotive is labeled number 707 and is emitting steam and smoke. In the background are bare trees, a building, a railway worker, and overhead wires on a gantry-like structure. The image is in black and white.
David Plowden, Central Vermont Railway, Locomotive Number 707 (Largest Steam Engine in New England) on Turntable at White River Junction, Vermont, 1957, printed 2011, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.70

Central Vermont Railway, Locomotive Number 707 (Largest Steam Engine in New England) on Turntable at White River Junction, Vermont

David Plowden · 1957, printed 2011 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.70

The image shows an aerial view of a long industrial pier stretching into the distance. The pier has skeletal crane structures and piles of materials alongside the water. The color scheme is mostly grey with an overcast sky and faint haze near the horizon. Large vessels are docked to the right, and smoke or steam rises from distant smokestacks.
David Plowden, JL 482 24, Jones and Laughlin Steel Company, Indiana Harbor Works, Looking Toward Inland Steel Company, East Chicago, Indiana, 1982, printed later, gelatin silver print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.42

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

David Plowden · 1982, printed later · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.42

The image displays an industrial scene featuring a large cargo ship named "MARHILL" docked at a port. The view is from slightly above water level, showing the ship, industrial cranes, conveyer systems, and mounds of material. The style is detailed, depicting the geometric lines of the cranes and the ship's hull. The color scheme is monochromatic with shades of gray and black. The background includes more cranes and industrial structures, and the sky is overcast, providing diffused lighting.
David Plowden, Steamer Marlhill Unloading Taconite at Inland Steel Works, Indiana Harbor, East Chicago, Indiana, 1979, printed 2012, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.17

Steamer Marlhill Unloading Taconite at Inland Steel Works, Indiana Harbor, East Chicago, Indiana

David Plowden · 1979, printed 2012 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.17

This is a photograph of a steam locomotive engine. The image shows a detailed side view of the train engine, featuring the number "5107" above the wheels. The mechanical details like pistons, pipes, and metal plates are visible, showcasing the engineering of the locomotive. The photo has a classic black-and-white aesthetic.
David Plowden, CPR 360, Engineer Bud Rolf and Fireman Doug Blue in Cab of Locomotive Number 5107 after Last Scheduled Steam Powered Train Number 518, Brownville Junction, Maine, 1960, printed 2017, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.63

CPR 360, Engineer Bud Rolf and Fireman Doug Blue in Cab of Locomotive Number 5107 after Last Scheduled Steam Powered Train Number 518, Brownville Junction, Maine

David Plowden · 1960, printed 2017 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.63

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 photograph depicts an industrial scene with a blurred figure in a factory or workshop setting. The image captures motion and a sense of urgency, with machinery and brick walls visible. The blur effect creates a dynamic energy in the scene.
David Plowden, IS 2425, Inland Steel Company, Puddler in Blast Furnace Cast House, East Chicago, Indiana, 1979, printed 2016, inkjet print, Gift of David Plowden, 2023.59.35

IS 2425, Inland Steel Company, Puddler in Blast Furnace Cast House, East Chicago, Indiana

David Plowden · 1979, printed 2016 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2023.59.35