5¢, Demopolis, Alabama

1978, printed c. 2000

William Christenberry

Associated Names
William Christenberry

Artist, American, 1936 - 2016

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Artwork overview

More About this Artwork

In this black-and-white photograph, five children sit closely together on a couch, reading different comic books and magazines. The comic books obscure the faces of the five children, and they appear absorbed in their reading. A sixth child who appears to be a young boy sits on the ground in front of the couch next to a coffee table piled high with dirty dishes and more comic books. His face is partially visible; he has light skin and dark hair, and he looks over his shoulder to the right. The children wear a variety of clothing with different patterns, including long-sleeved shirts, dresses, belts, and long pants. The wall behind the couch is light gray, with the edge of a framed photo visible at the top.

Article:  12 Documentary Photographers Who Changed the Way We See the World

Photographers of the 1970s revolutionized the medium through innovations of both style and subject.

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

William Christenberry, Washington, DC; gift to the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 2002; acquired by NGA, 2015.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2003

  • Both Sides of the Street: Celebrating the Corcoran's Photography Collection, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, April 12 – December 8, 2003

2006

  • redefined: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, July 15, 2006 – January 2, 2007

2025

  • The '70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography: National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, October 6, 2024–April 6, 2025

Inscriptions

on verso, bottom right in black ink: WC; bottom left: 5¢, DEMOPOLIS, ALABAMA, 1978; bottom center: PRINTED 2000; by Corcoran Gallery of Art, bottom right corner: 2002.32

Wikidata ID

Q64170739

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