Provenance

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 229 works of art
This is a photograph of a fishing boat at sea. The image shows a small fishing vessel with people and equipment, operating near a larger vessel. The ocean is dynamic, with waves hitting the small boat. There are marine elements like ropes, nets, and a weathered wooden boat, creating a working atmosphere. The monochrome tone of the photograph gives a timeless quality to the scene.
Gordon Parks, Gloucester fishermen pulling in their nets to bring their catch nearer to the surface so the dip net can transfer them to the big boat. Gloucester, Massachusetts, June 1943, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2016.117.265

Gloucester fishermen pulling in their nets to bring their catch nearer to the surface so the dip net can transfer them to the big boat. Gloucester, Massachusetts

Gordon Parks · June 1943 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.265

The image depicts a man's face and hands looking through an opening. The man's face and hands are visible, with his hands resting on the surface around the opening. The man's face has strong features and short, textured hair. He is looking directly at the camera with an intense gaze. The background is dark, with blurred lights suggesting an urban street setting at nighttime.
Gordon Parks, Emerging Man, Harlem, New York, 1952, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2016.117.177

Emerging Man, Harlem, New York

Gordon Parks · 1952 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.177

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), 2016.117.92

Sunup

Gordon Parks · 1995 · inkjet print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.92

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Moments Without Proper Names

Gordon Parks · 1988 · 16mm color film ·  Accession ID  2016.117.275

The image features a pattern of repeating octagonal shapes and diamond lines forming a grid with warm hues of orange and brown. In the foreground, an abstract silhouette of a man wearing a hat appears. The pattern of geometric shapes on the right side resembles a stained glass window, providing a backdrop to the outlined figure, creating a juxtaposition between the structured grid and the freeform silhouette.
Gordon Parks, The Stranger, 1958, printed later, silver dye bleach print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2016.117.210

The Stranger

Gordon Parks · 1958, printed later · silver dye bleach print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.210

The image shows a young child standing outdoors. The child is facing the camera, with a neutral expression. They have a smooth complexion, short hair, and are wearing a cap and a buttoned-up wool coat, which suggests cool weather. In the background, there are several posters and signs visible, one depicting a man with text about 'Adam Powell,' 'The Negro on The Home Front,' and 'People's Voice,' alongside an old building structure with text snippets. The background suggests an urban setting, possibly near a street.
Gordon Parks, New York, New York. A Harlem newsboy, April 1943, printed later, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2016.117.118

New York, New York. A Harlem newsboy

Gordon Parks · April 1943, printed later · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.118

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), 2016.117.261

Windows

Gordon Parks · 1993, printed later · silver dye bleach print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.261

The image shows an overhead view of a crowded urban area with buildings. The sky is bright with silhouetted buildings and smokestacks forming the horizon. Smoke or mist is seen between the buildings, with a patch of light on the right side. The cityscape is depicted in a gritty style with contrasted shadows. The color scheme is black, white, and gray, creating a dramatic effect. Buildings in the foreground are detailed, blending into less defined shapes in the distance.
Gordon Parks, Harlem Rooftops, 1948, printed later, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2016.117.143

Harlem Rooftops

Gordon Parks · 1948, printed later · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.143

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Chimney Pots, Paris

Gordon Parks · 1964, printed later · silver dye bleach print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.242

The image shows three men working aboard a boat. They are bent over a flat surface while wearing wet, heavy outerwear typical of fishermen. Their faces are mostly hidden by their wide-brimmed hats. The background shows an overcast sky, seagulls flying overhead, and the ocean at the horizon.
Gordon Parks, Gloucester Fishing, 1942, printed later, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2016.117.108

Gloucester Fishing

Gordon Parks · 1942, printed later · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.108