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 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

This black-and-white 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, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2016.117.271

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

Gordon Parks · July 1942 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.271

This is a photograph of raised hands with open palms. The black and white image captures several hands raised in different angles. The focus is on the hands, creating a sense of unity and motion. The composition shows a variety of positions and overlap of hands. Details like lines on palms and accessories like bracelets and rings can be seen, highlighted by the contrast. The background is blurred, emphasizing the hands in the foreground.
Gordon Parks, Harlem Rally, 1963, printed later, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection, 1998), 2016.117.232

Harlem Rally

Gordon Parks · 1963, printed later · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.232

The image shows two men in a narrow hallway. Both men are wearing dark suits, white shirts, and ties, and their full bodies are visible. The man on the left is holding a small revolver and leaning back slightly, while the man on the right is in the process of kicking a door, with one hand steadying himself against the wall. The man on the left has a receding hairline and slicked-back hair, while the man on the right appears to have a similar hairstyle, although it is less visible. Both men appear to be focused on the door. The hallway has worn, plain walls, with visible marks and patches, and there is minimal light, casting shadows along the walls. The ceiling has exposed light bulbs and a slightly peeling surface.
Gordon Parks, Raiding Detectives, Chicago, 1957, printed later, silver dye bleach print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection, 1998), 2016.117.208

Raiding Detectives, Chicago

Gordon Parks · 1957, printed later · silver dye bleach print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.208

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, 1998), 2016.117.118

New York, New York. A Harlem newsboy

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

This abstract image features circular shapes connected by thin, linear elements on a dark background. A human hand emerges, adding a human element to the scene. The contrast between the light circles and dark background creates depth.
Gordon Parks, Alexander Calder's Hand and Mobile, 1952, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection, 1998), 2016.117.176

Alexander Calder's Hand and Mobile

Gordon Parks · 1952 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.176

The image shows two seated women. One woman is in the foreground and is slightly to the left, while the other woman is in the background closer to a window. The woman in the foreground has her head slightly bowed with her eyes closed. She is wearing a dark-colored robe with a clerical collar visible and a rose pinned to her garment. The woman in the background is wearing a white dress with a dark bow and a headband in her hair. She has her hands folded in her lap, looking forward. The setting is indoors, with a window featuring a latticed design and a fan over the top half. Above the women, there is a religious display with a large crucifix and statues on shelves mounted on the wall. Above the display, partially visible letters spell out "CALVARY." The walls are painted in two tones.
Gordon Parks, Washington, D.C. Sitting beneath the emblem of the crucifixion of Jesus on Calvary. Two members of the St. Martin's Spiritual Church listen and pray., August 1942, printed later, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection, 1998), 2016.117.114

Washington, D.C. Sitting beneath the emblem of the crucifixion of Jesus on Calvary. Two members of the St. Martin's Spiritual Church listen and pray.

Gordon Parks · August 1942, printed later · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.114

This photograph shows an arrangement of various objects including religious iconography and a skull. The image features a crucifix, a skull in the background, and seated statues in the foreground. The crucifix with an image of a figure and the central skull add to the composition. The statues are settled in a meditative pose. Overall, the photograph captures an interplay of religious and symbolic artifacts.
Gordon Parks, Window/Mysticism, Harlem, New York, 1952, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection, 1998), 2015.19.4607

Window/Mysticism, Harlem, New York

Gordon Parks · 1952 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2015.19.4607

The image depicts a man from the waist up, leaning forward with both arms on a counter. He wears a cap tilted to one side, has a rough, unshaven face with pronounced facial features, and has short hair covered mostly by the cap. He wears a plaid shirt and a slightly worn coat or jacket. He holds a pipe in his mouth. The background is cluttered with various products on shelves, such as boxes, bottles, and tins with visible pricing. It appears to be an old shop or general store, with a vintage and utilitarian feel enhanced by invoices and product advertisements visible in the background.
Gordon Parks, Hercules Brown, 20 year Esso dealer, in his general store, Somerville, Maine, January 1944, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection, 1998), 2016.117.131

Hercules Brown, 20 year Esso dealer, in his general store, Somerville, Maine

Gordon Parks · January 1944 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2016.117.131

The image captures the upper half of a person's body standing by a window. The individual is leaning out from a low angle and is slightly bent at the waist, with one arm reaching out upwards, and their face in profile. The person has short-cropped hair and is exhaling smoke, with eyes looking out of the window. They are wearing a long-sleeve shirt or jacket, and the fabric's texture is visible in the light. The window is wooden with peeling paint, and there is a rope attached to it. The background shows a brick wall from an adjacent building.
Gordon Parks, Red looking for rival gang, 1948, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (The Gordon Parks Collection), 2015.19.4675

Red looking for rival gang

Gordon Parks · 1948 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2015.19.4675