Provenance

Harry Callahan

American, 1912 - 1999

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The image shows a woman walking on a city sidewalk. She is captured in motion with her right hand reaching forward. The woman has short, light-colored hair styled with waves, and wears a knee-length coat with large buttons and a patterned garment underneath. She wears a ring and large spherical earrings. Other individuals are around, including a man wearing a hat and sunglasses. The urban environment includes a taxi, a bus, tall buildings with signage, and a partial view of an American flag. The image is in black and white.
Harry Callahan, Chicago, 1961, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Callahan Family, 2011.95.35

Chicago

Harry Callahan · 1961 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2011.95.35

The image shows a series of curved lines layered over each other, creating a sense of fluid motion. This abstract composition resembles the delicate slats of a fan or the overlapping feathers of a bird's wing in flight. The repeated patterns and the play of light and shadow suggest waves or ripples, evoking a dynamic and ethereal quality.
Harry Callahan, Camera Movement on Automobile Reflection, 1945-1947, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Callahan Family, 2011.95.15

Camera Movement on Automobile Reflection

Harry Callahan · 1945-1947 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2011.95.15

This is a photograph of an urban scene featuring a stairway. The image captures a stark exterior view of a building with a long, ascending staircase that cuts diagonally across the center. The dominant colors are various shades of grey, drawing attention to the geometric lines and shapes formed by the staircase and the building behind it. At the top, the building's surface merges with another brick structure. Two vertical light poles are visible, standing on either side of the image, and the street level is marked by a paved road in the foreground, bordered by a strip of dirt and an elevated sidewalk railing. The composition is carefully balanced, highlighting the juxtaposition of architectural elements against the open pavement space, which enhances the sense of depth and structure.
Harry Callahan, Highland Park, Michigan, 1941-1942, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Callahan Family, 2011.95.12

Highland Park, Michigan

Harry Callahan · 1941-1942 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2011.95.12

This is a photograph of a row of three windows on a brick building. The windows are rectangular and framed by a dark brick wall. Two of the windows reflect the cloudy sky and appear uncovered, while the third window on the right is partially obscured by decorative iron bars. The image has a moody and atmospheric quality, with heavy use of shadow creating contrast between the bright window reflections and the dark building facade.
Harry Callahan, New York, 1945, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Callahan Family, 2011.95.8

New York

Harry Callahan · 1945 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2011.95.8

This is a photograph depicting multiple individuals climbing an outdoor staircase next to a large building. The image showcases urban architecture with a contrast between light concrete walls and the dark figures on the stairs. Two lamp posts are visible near the building, adding to the geometric composition. The scene conveys a sense of movement in an urban environment, emphasizing shapes and lines. The monochrome image accentuates the interplay of light and shadow, highlighting textures and forms.
Harry Callahan, Highland Park, Michigan, 1941-1942, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Callahan Family, 2011.95.11

Highland Park, Michigan

Harry Callahan · 1941-1942 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2011.95.11

The image shows a person seated with their back facing the camera. They are covering the upper part of their body to just below the waist and sitting cross-legged on a bed or similar surface, facing two windows. The person's hair is dark and worn in an updo. No clothing or accessories are visible on the person. The setting appears to be a dimly lit room with a plain, slightly worn-looking wall beneath the windows, which are allowing soft light to enter the space, creating a contrast between the interior and exterior light. The floor is wooden, and the overall mood is quiet and minimalistic, focusing on simple elements and natural lighting.
Harry Callahan, Eleanor, Chicago, 1948, gelatin silver print, The Joyce and Robert B. Menschel Fund, 1996.16.1

Eleanor, Chicago

Harry Callahan · 1948 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  1996.16.1

The image shows a woman and a child standing on a cobblestone street. The woman, on the right, has short, dark hair and wears a long dark coat. She is holding the child's hand. The child wears a cap and a coat and stands close to the woman. In the background, there is a large industrial building with a curved roof and large walls. The street surfaces are wet, and tram tracks are visible. The setting has a stark, industrial appearance with minimal adornment, suggesting an urban environment.
Harry Callahan, Eleanor and Barbara, Chicago, 1953, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Callahan Family, 2011.95.19

Eleanor and Barbara, Chicago

Harry Callahan · 1953 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2011.95.19

This is a photograph of a weathered utility pole covered in remnants of torn posters and papers. The central focus is on the wooden utility pole, which is heavily layered with countless staples, tacks, and remnants of aged and peeling flyers or posters. The fragments of paper are in various states of decay, with some pieces flapping slightly away from the pole. Their colors range from faded whites and yellows to hints of residual colors. The background is a blurred view of an urban setting, with the indistinct outlines of buildings and street features. The pole itself conveys a sense of history and urban decay, as it accumulates the memory of messages and notices that have long been removed.
Harry Callahan, Atlanta, 1990, chromogenic print, Robert B. Menschel Fund, 1997.33.3

Atlanta

Harry Callahan · 1990 · chromogenic print ·  Accession ID  1997.33.3

The image shows three individuals partially, with their full bodies visible up to their knees. The woman on the left is standing in an open doorway and is positioned at an angle, looking towards the camera. She has styled hair that appears voluminous and wavy. She wears a textured coat with dark fur cuffs, gloves, and holds a black handbag. Adjacent to her is another woman facing right, engaged with the man to her side. Her hair is shorter and possibly curly or wavy, and she is dressed in a dark outfit with a scarf. The man next to her stands facing forward, wearing a light-colored overcoat. The background features a structural design with ornate detailing around the doorway, and the setting seems to be an urban environment on a bright day, suggested by the sharp shadows.
Harry Callahan, Providence, c. 1965, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Callahan Family, 2011.95.38

Providence

Harry Callahan · c. 1965 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2011.95.38

This is a photograph of a building with a brick facade and multiple windows. The image shows a symmetrical arrangement of windows on a plain brick wall. The windows are rectangular with white frames, organized in four rows with uniform spacing. The bricks are detailed, creating a textured surface. The composition emphasizes the geometric and structural elements of the architecture.
Harry Callahan, New York, 1945, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Callahan Family, 2011.95.13

New York

Harry Callahan · 1945 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2011.95.13