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

Dr. King Enjoys Lunch with His Family after Church in Atlanta

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

CultureAmerican

Date1967-1968

MediumGelatin silver print

DimensionsOverall, Image: 8 1/4 × 12 1/4 in. (21 × 31.1 cm)
Overall: 10 15/16 × 13 7/8 in. (27.8 × 35.2 cm)
Overall, Mat: 20 1/16 × 24 in. (51 × 61 cm)

Credit LineGift of Kodak and Michael S. Engl

Object number97.17.6

Not on view

DescriptionThis gelatin silver print depicts Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sitting at the dinning table eating lunch with his family after church in Atlanta.

Label TextBenedict J. Fernandez American, b. 1936 Dr. King Enjoys Lunch with His Family after Church in Atlanta, ca. 1967−68 Gelatin silver print (photograph) In 1953, Coretta Scott (1927−2006), seated here on the far right, gave up a promising singing career to marry Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and become a lifelong activist. She spoke at rallies and performed public concerts in support of equal rights, even as death threats and bombings complicated the Kings’ family life. After her husband’s assassination, she founded the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change to continue their advocacy work. “Not enough attention has been focused on the roles played by women in the struggle,” she told New Lady magazine in 1966. “By and large, men have formed the leadership in the Civil Rights struggle, but… women have been the backbone of the whole Civil Rights Movement.” Gift of Kodak and Michael S. Engl 97.17.6 Exhibition 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. "Women and the Civil Rights Movement," Photography Galleries, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, June 14 - October 30, 2016.