New photography by Shannon Ruff captured with a digital camera-2007.

In the Front Yard of His Home, Martin Luther King, Jr., Takes Time Out for a Game of Catch with His Sons

Artist Benedict J. Fernandez (American, b. 1936)

CultureAmerican

MediumGelatin silver print

DimensionsOverall, Image: 8 1/8 × 12 3/8 in. (20.6 × 31.4 cm)
Overall: 11 × 13 7/8 in. (27.9 × 35.2 cm)
Overall, Mat: 20 × 24 in. (50.8 × 61 cm)

Credit LineGift of Kodak and Michael S. Engl

Object number97.17.9

Not on view

DescriptionThis gelatin silver print depicts Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the front yard of his Atlanta home taking time out for a game of catch with his sons. This takes place on the sidewalk with trees in the background and Dr. King is in the left foreground. His sons are not in the picture.

Label TextIn the front yard of his home, Martin Luther King, Jr., takes time out for a game of catch with his sons., Atlanta, 1967/68 Gelatin silver print, ca. 1989 Gift of Kodak and Michael S. Engl 97.17.9 Martin Luther King, Sr., was born Michael King, and Martin Luther King, Jr. was initially named Michael King, Jr. After a 1934 family trip to Europe and an influential visit to Germany, his father changed both of their names to Martin Luther to honor the religious reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546), a German theologian recognized as the Father of the Protestant Reformation. In 1964, King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violent means. By the time of his death in 1968, he had refocused his efforts on ending poverty and opposing the Vietnam War, both from a religious perspective. Approval Date: 09/2008Exhibition History"Countdown to Eternity: Photographs of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Ben Fernandez," Kaufman Theatre Lobby, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA., September 26, 2008 - March 1, 2009. "Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, from the Museum Collection", THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART, NORFOLK, VA, February 6 - May 31, 1998.