Iceman, Norfolk, Virginia
Artist
John Vachon
(American, 1914-1975)
CultureAmerican
Date1941
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsOverall, Image: 9 1/4 × 7 in. (23.5 × 17.8 cm)
Overall, Support: 10 × 8 in. (25.4 × 20.3 cm)
Overall, Mat: 20 × 16 in. (50.8 × 40.6 cm)
Overall, Support: 10 × 8 in. (25.4 × 20.3 cm)
Overall, Mat: 20 × 16 in. (50.8 × 40.6 cm)
Credit LinePurchase, Horace W. Goldsmith Fund
Object number84.78.65
Not on view
DescriptionThis is one of a series of 132 FSA photographs of Virginia; all are gelatin silver prints.Label TextJohn Vachon American, 1914 1975 Iceman, Norfolk, Virginia, March 1941 Gelatin silver print (photograph), printed 1984 Although the refrigerator was invented before the Depression, only the wealthiest Americans could enjoy the technology. Most people preserved food in insulated containers that used manufactured ice to keep food cool. Newport News resident Warren Chauncey recalls his excitement as a child when the iceman visited: “We would watch the iceman cut away blocks of ice—5 cents for a small, 10 cents for a large.” Broken fragments often made for a special treat: “It was hot and the iceman would hand all the kids the loose pieces.” Chrysler Museum purchase 84.78.65 ProvenancePurchased prints from Library of Congress (negatives on file at Library of Congress,) 1984.Exhibition History"Mountaineers to Main Streets: The Old Dominion as seen through the Farm Security Administration Photographs," Large Changing Gallery, Chrysler Museum of Art, May 3 - June 16, 1985. "The World of Photography," Alice R. and Sol B. Frank Photo Galleries, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, June 20, 2007 - May 25, 2008 Published ReferencesBrooks Johnson. _Mountaineers to Main Streets: The Old Dominion as seen through the Farm Security Administration Photographs_. The Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, VA. 1985: p. 140.
