“Simple” Was a Character That Poet Langston Hughes Used in His Newspaper Column. Upon Seeing the Man in This Photograph, Hughes Said, “That’s Him”, Chicago, Illinois

1947, printed later

Wayne Miller

Associated Names
Wayne Miller

Artist, American, 1918 - 2013

The image shows the upper portion of a man's body looking out from behind a window. He is inside, gazing slightly to the right with only his head and some of his shoulders visible. The man has a short, neatly trimmed beard and a contemplative expression. He is wearing a medium-brimmed hat with a dark band and a light-colored shirt or jacket. The window glass is slightly dirty, and there is a sign displayed in front with part of the words "& CLEANERS" and "SHINE" visible. The background features a textured wall with patterns, and outside reflections are seen on the window glass.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Wayne F. Miller Family

  • Dimensions

    image: 25.9 × 25.2 cm (10 3/16 × 9 15/16 in.)
    sheet: 35.4 × 27.7 cm (13 15/16 × 10 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2021.89.17

  • Portfolio Title

    The Way of Life of the Northern Negro

  • Copyright

    © Wayne F. Miller

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Estate of Wayne Miller, Orinda, CA; Jeanette Miller, Lafayette, CA; gift to NGA, 2021.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

on verso, signed by artist, center in graphite: Wayne F. Miller; by artist, bottom center in graphite: 427-10; center right stamped in black ink: © Wayne F. Miller / Magnum Photos Inc.

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