Dr. King's children view his body lying in state, Sister's Chapel, Spellman College, Atlanta

April 1968, printed 1989

Benedict J. Fernandez

Associated Names
Benedict J. Fernandez

Artist, American, 1936 - 2021

The image shows a group of people gathered closely together, mostly depicted from the waist up. In the foreground, there is a man with short, closely-cropped hair wearing a striped shirt, appearing to be leaning slightly forward with his arm extended. Beside him, there is a young woman with a neat bob haircut who is wearing a buttoned coat, her expression is focused and downward-looking. Next to her, there is a young boy with short, neatly trimmed hair, wearing a similar coat and looking intently at something in front of him. A young girl can be seen peeking between the young woman and the boy, her mouth slightly open as she looks forward. In front of the group, there is an open casket, with a man's face visible, his eyes closed in repose. The background features a blurred arrangement of floral displays.
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Artwork overview

Associated Artworks

See all 12 artworks
The image shows an outdoor scene from a slightly elevated point of view. A man in a suit is on a sidewalk, with a stone wall in the foreground. Parked vintage cars line the horizon beyond trees and a curving road. The background is filled with tall trees casting dappled shadows. Two people are walking beyond the wall. The image is black and white, with sharp details, clear lines, and high contrast between light and shadow.

In the front yard of his Atlanta home, Dr. King takes time out for a game of catch with his sons

Benedict J. Fernandez

1967

Countdown to Eternity: Photographs of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the1960s

Benedict J. Fernandez

1967

This is an image of an office space with a large bookshelf filled with books, trophies, a wooden desk with paperwork and books, and various decorations on the walls.

Dr. King in his office at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Headquarters in Atlanta

Benedict J. Fernandez

1967


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Benedict J. Fernandez, North Bergen, NJ; gift to the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1992; acquired by NGA, 2016.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1995

  • Countdown to Eternity, Photographs of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s by Ben Fernandez, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, January 14–February 20, 1995

Inscriptions

signed by artist, bottom right below image in gray ink: Benedict J Fernandez; bottom left below image: 15/50

Wikidata ID

Q64145131

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