Gordon Parks

American, 1912 - 2006

Photographer Gordon Parks captured life in the United States across six decades. His work shone a light on Black communities, celebrities, and civil rights leaders. Parks was born in the segregated community of Fort Scott, Kansas, in 1912. He bought his first camera while working as a dining car waiter for the Northern Pacific Railway.

Parks discovered documentary photography perusing magazines left behind by railway passengers. He approached Life magazine in 1948 to propose a story on Harlem gangs. The following year his first photo essay was published: Harlem Gang Leader Red Jackson’s Life Is One of Fear, Frustration, and Violence.

Over the next two decades, Parks did nearly 300 assignments for Life, where he was the first and only Black photographer on staff. The profound humanity depicted in his work crossed racial barriers. Through his powerful stories, viewers gained insight into the lives of his subjects. Parks used striking compositions and acute attention to detail to offer social commentary and provoke reflection.

Explore selected works

See all 248 works of art
This sepia-toned photograph shows a woman from the waist up, facing us. She has dark skin and short, neatly styled hair. She wears round glasses and is dressed in a polka-dotted dress with short sleeves and a buttoned front. Her expression is neutral as she looks towards us, the corners of her lips slightly turned down. She stands partially behind a large broom on the left side of the image, its fibers facing upwards. The background consists of an American flag hanging vertically on a white wall, with its stripes and stars prominently visible. On the right side of the image, a mop can be seen in the background, leaning against a surface.
Gordon Parks, Washington, D.C. Government Charwoman (American Gothic), July 1942, printed later, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection, 1998), 2016.117.104

Washington, D.C. Government Charwoman (American Gothic)

Gordon Parks · July 1942, printed later · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.104
The artwork "A Great Day in Hip Hop" is a black and white photograph featuring a large group of people standing and sitting on the steps and sidewalk in front of a row of brownstone buildings. The individuals, who are mainly men, are positioned closely together, filling the entire frame from side to side. They are dressed in a variety of styles, including casual streetwear and more formal attire. Some people are standing with their arms crossed or hands in their pockets, while others are sitting or leaning against the steps. The background consists of the detailed architecture of the brownstones, with visible doors, windows, and stair railings.
Gordon Parks, A Great Day in Hip Hop, 1998, printed 2019, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Gordon Parks Foundation, 2026.62.1

A Great Day in Hip Hop

Gordon Parks · 1998, printed 2019 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2026.62.1
The sculpture depicts a mixed organic and geometric shape, resembling a shell or natural stone with a smooth oval form inserted into it. The sculpture is primarily pale, creamy beige with marbling and textured surfaces, potentially made of stone or marble. The smooth oval form contrasts the rougher texture of the surrounding structure. The background is a serene blue gradient, emphasizing the sculpture and contrasting its pale color.
Gordon Parks, Sculpture, 1997, inkjet print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2016.117.270

Sculpture

Gordon Parks · 1997 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.270
The image displays a dark, circular shape surrounded by horizontal, wavy lines in shades of yellow, green, and brown, creating an abstract landscape. The circular form could be interpreted as a sun or moon behind layers of clouds or hills, suggestive of a dramatic sky at dawn or dusk.
Gordon Parks, Sunup, 1995, inkjet print, Corcoran Collection (Gift of the artist, 1997), 2016.117.92

Sunup

Gordon Parks · 1995 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.92
The image shows a grid of rectangular shapes formed by the windows on a brick wall. Some abstract reflections and patterns are visible within the glass panes. Each window has its own unique reflections, creating a diverse array of visual elements.
Gordon Parks, Windows, 1993, printed later, silver dye bleach print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection, 1998), 2016.117.261

Windows

Gordon Parks · 1993, printed later · silver dye bleach print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.261
The image shows a young girl leaning against a tree, holding a doll in her hands. Her face is serious, with large eyes and a small mouth, and she is wearing a large white hat covering her hair. She is dressed in a long-sleeved dress with floral pattern sleeves and a solid apron-like front, with a tear near the bottom. The doll has curly hair and is wearing a patterned outfit. The background features a tree trunk and grassy ground.
Gordon Parks, Child and Doll, North Carolina, 1984, printed later, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection, 1998), 2016.117.260

Child and Doll, North Carolina

Gordon Parks · 1984, printed later · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.260
The image shows a large potato with a slice removed from the top, exposing its inner flesh. The potato is set against a background of red and black patterns.
Gordon Parks, Early Morning, 1981, printed later, silver dye bleach print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection, 1998), 2016.117.259

Early Morning

Gordon Parks · 1981, printed later · silver dye bleach print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.259
The artwork features a person standing on a stage, captured in a black and white photograph. The individual is positioned towards the bottom left of the image, bent forward slightly. They are dressed in a light-colored shirt and trousers and are holding a trumpet. A spotlight shines down from the upper right corner, illuminating the person while the rest of the stage remains in shadow. The background is predominantly dark, with a beam of light and a few small, indistinct shapes visible. There are strong contrasts between light and shadow.
Gordon Parks, Miles Davis, 1981, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection, 1998), 2015.19.4634

Miles Davis

Gordon Parks · 1981 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2015.19.4634
The image depicts a woman seated with her legs folded beneath her, captured from the side. Her head is turned slightly, showing her face in profile with an angular jawline and pale skin. She has black hair styled in an updo with small orange pins. She is surrounded by soft pink fabric draping her body, leaving her arms and shoulders exposed. In the bottom of the image, there is a decorative object resembling a crowned statue. The background is softly blurred with pastel tones creating an ethereal ambiance.
Gordon Parks, Nude, 1975, printed later, silver dye bleach print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection, 1998), 2016.117.258

Nude

Gordon Parks · 1975, printed later · silver dye bleach print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.258
The image shows a man from the waist up, seated in a relaxed position. He is looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression, holding a cigarette near his mouth with his right hand. The man has short, textured hair and a goatee, wearing a dark, long-sleeved shirt and light-colored pants. In his left hand, he holds an open book and wears a large wristwatch on his left wrist. The background is out of focus, possibly showing a corner of a room. Smoke from the cigarette is visible in the air around him.
Gordon Parks, Eldridge Cleaver, 1970, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection, 1998), 2016.117.256

Eldridge Cleaver

Gordon Parks · 1970 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.256

You may also like

The image features a person with their upper body visible and slightly turned to the side. Their face is tilted upwards, and their mouth is open wide, displaying their teeth. The person's facial features are partially obscured due to low light. Their hair is short, and they are wearing earrings. They are dressed in a dark halter-top that reveals their shoulders, and they have a pendant necklace. The rest of the image is dark with little visible detail.

Article:  Seven Artists Inspired by Jazz 

Article:  16 Black Artists to Know

Video:  Jason Reynolds Reads His Poem Inspired by Gordon Parks’s Photograph

Article:  Poet Jason Reynolds Responds to a Photograph by Gordon Parks

Article:  From World War I to Afghanistan: Our Servicepeople in Photographs