The bathroom at the mission is dreary at best, with holes in the walls and floor, peeling lead paint, no toilet paper, showers without handles. Mothers nevertheless keep their children scrupulously clean, singing praise to God. Here, Renee cleans her daughters face with plenty of elbow grease. Olive Branch Mission, Chicago.

1999

Donna Ferrato

Associated Names
Donna Ferrato

Artist, American, born 1949

The image displays two individuals, mostly focusing on their upper bodies. One person is standing and cleaning the child's face, who is leaning back. The child has closed eyes and textured short hair, wearing a light-colored shirt. The standing person has hair tied back and hoop earrings, wearing a light-colored t-shirt. They hold a cloth in one hand and support the child's head with the other. A mirror on the wall reflects part of the scene, including the back of the standing person's head. The background features a wall, pipes, and a board next to the mirror, creating a utilitarian atmosphere.
This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print

  • Credit Line

    Corcoran Collection (Gift of Donna Ferrato)

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 40.5 × 50.5 cm (15 15/16 × 19 7/8 in.)
    image: 33.1 × 49.1 cm (13 1/16 × 19 5/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2015.19.5134

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Donna Ferrato, New York; gift to the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 2009; acquired by NGA, 2015.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1999

  • The Way Home: Ending Homelessness in America, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, December 4, 1999 – January 30, 2000

Bibliography

1999

  • The Way Home: Ending Homelessness in America. Exh. cat. Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, 1999: 90.

Inscriptions

on verso, signed by artist, across center in graphite: © Donna Ferrato

You may be interested in

Loading Results