Margaret Bourke-White

White, Margaret

American, 1904 - 1971

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Four monumental concrete structures nearly fill the space of this vertical black and white photograph. The fortress-like architectural forms are arranged in a line so they move away from us at a diagonal to our right to create an almost abstract composition. Each structure seems to be made up of two parts: a form that tapers from a wide base to a narrow top, like a fin. Each of those brace a taller vertical panel, each of which has a semi-circular, crown-like crenellation. The top of the leftmost structure is cropped by the edge of the photograph and its bracing foot reaches halfway across the composition. Two people stand at the base of that structure, barely coming a tenth of the way up the lower bracing structure. Deep shadows on our side of the structures contrast with the brighter areas highlighted by the sun. Two clouds float in the sky above. A tall pole supporting a wire nearly reaches the top edge of the photograph to our right.
Margaret Bourke-White, Fort Peck Dam, Montana, 1936, gelatin silver print, Patrons' Permanent Fund, 2014.113.1

Fort Peck Dam, Montana

Margaret Bourke-White · 1936 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2014.113.1

Margaret Bourke-White, Workman Operating “Mud Gun” to Stop Up Tapping Hole of Blast Furnace, Otis Steel Co., 1928, gelatin silver print, Gift of Leslie and Judith Schreyer and Gabrielle Schreyer-Hoffman, 2024.179.2

Workman Operating “Mud Gun” to Stop Up Tapping Hole of Blast Furnace, Otis Steel Co.

Margaret Bourke-White · 1928 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2024.179.2

This black-and-white photograph displays an older man with a bald head seated cross-legged on a rug. He is holding an object in his hands that he is focusing intently on, his head turned downward. The man is shirtless, wearing a cloth around his lower body. On the left appears to be a large spinning wheel. The background is plain, with another object or piece of furniture partially visible on the right. There are several lines of text on the left side.
Margaret Bourke-White, Associated Press, Title from caption on object: “Gandhi as Pictured by Bourke-White”, April 1946, printed later, gelatin silver print, Gift of Mary and Dan Solomon, 2018.177.383

Title from caption on object: “Gandhi as Pictured by Bourke-White”

Margaret Bourke-White, Associated Press · April 1946, printed later · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2018.177.383

The image shows a group of men standing behind a barbed wire fence. Their full bodies are visible, though slightly obscured by the wire. The men are standing closely together and facing forward, looking directly at the camera. Their facial features vary, with some having facial hair, while others are clean-shaven. The expressions on their faces are solemn. Most of the men appear to have short-cropped hair, covered by caps. They are wearing a mix of striped clothing, including pants and jackets, which is reminiscent of a uniform. Several individuals wear layers. There is a crutch visible. The background is a wooden structure. The overall scene conveys a sense of enclosure and confinement within their environment.
Margaret Bourke-White, Survivors at Buchenwald, April 1945, gelatin silver print, Gift of Mary and Dan Solomon, 2018.177.352

Survivors at Buchenwald

Margaret Bourke-White · April 1945 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2018.177.352

The image depicts a young boy standing barefoot on a wooden floor next to a dog in a doorway. The boy has short hair and wears a long-sleeved shirt and torn pants. They are surrounded by newspaper-covered walls and cluttered with clothing.
Margaret Bourke-White, East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, 1936, gelatin silver print, Gift of Robert B. Menschel, 2022.154.3

East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana

Margaret Bourke-White · 1936 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2022.154.3

The image shows the upper body of a young woman. She is wearing a hat with a short brim and a uniform jacket with shoulder epaulets. She has short dark hair and is looking to the left with wide eyes, smiling broadly. The background is blurry with some writing on a wall.
Margaret Bourke-White, Street Car Conductor: Moscow, 1934, photogravure, Gift of Funds from Linda Hackett and Russell Munson, and Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund, 2023.36.1.3

Street Car Conductor: Moscow

Margaret Bourke-White · 1934 · photogravure ·  Accession ID  2023.36.1.3

This is a photograph of a book cover. The cover includes the title "MARGARET BOURKE-WHITE" in large red letters at the top and bottom, with a map outline of the U.S.S.R. in the center. "U.S.S.R PHOTOGRAPHS" is inscribed over the map. The cover has a two-tone color scheme with a brownish background on the right and a darker red strip to the left. Red ribbons are bound to the right edge of the book. The design features simple typography and map imagery, suggesting that the contents are related to photographic work from the U.S.S.R. by Margaret Bourke-White.
Margaret Bourke-White, Photographs of USSR, 1934, portfolio of 24 photogravures, Gift of Funds from Linda Hackett and Russell Munson, and Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund, 2023.36.1.1-24

Photographs of USSR

Margaret Bourke-White · 1934 · portfolio of 24 photogravures ·  Accession ID  2023.36.1.1-24

The image shows a group of children sitting on wooden benches in rows. There are at least 11 young students visible in the photo, mostly showing their upper bodies. One boy in the foreground is at the center of the frame, looking directly at the camera. He has closely cropped light hair and a neutral expression. Other children behind him are also facing forward, with various short and dark hairstyles, except for one boy with slightly longer, lighter hair in the top left. The backdrop is wooden paneling, hinting at a rustic, possibly educational setting like a schoolroom. The children wear simple, somber clothing suited for cooler weather, such as dark shirts and jackets. The lighting is soft and muted, giving the image a subdued and monochromatic look that enhances the timeless and historical ambiance.
Margaret Bourke-White, Village School: Kolomna: Volga Region, 1932, photogravure, Gift of Funds from Linda Hackett and Russell Munson, and Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund, 2023.36.1.9

Village School: Kolomna: Volga Region

Margaret Bourke-White · 1932 · photogravure ·  Accession ID  2023.36.1.9

The image displays a close-up view of a person's upper body with a focus on their face and shoulders. The individual is facing forward, revealing facial features including round spectacles and a somber expression. They have a round face with smooth skin and their eyes stand out behind the frames of the glasses. Their dark hair is partially covered, and they wear a dark head covering secured under the chin with a tie. The head covering features lace trim along the edge. The background is plain and blurred, possibly showing natural elements like foliage.
Margaret Bourke-White, Ekaterina Dzhugashvili: Mother of Joseph Stalin, 1932, photogravure, Gift of Funds from Linda Hackett and Russell Munson, and Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund, 2023.36.1.2

Ekaterina Dzhugashvili: Mother of Joseph Stalin

Margaret Bourke-White · 1932 · photogravure ·  Accession ID  2023.36.1.2

The image shows three individuals sharing a meal together. Each person is seated closely together at a table, scooping food from a bowl with a spoon. The person on the left is an older woman wearing a textured sweater and a scarf on her head. In the middle is a woman with light-colored hair pulled back and wearing a dark shawl over a light top. The person on the right is a younger individual with smooth features, also wearing a scarf on their head and a dark outfit. The background displays a muted wall with a patterned cloth or wallpaper with printed text and images. Slices of bread are placed on the table beside the bowl.
Margaret Bourke-White, Borscht, 1932, photogravure, Gift of Funds from Linda Hackett and Russell Munson, and Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund, 2023.36.1.10

Borscht

Margaret Bourke-White · 1932 · photogravure ·  Accession ID  2023.36.1.10