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Historic Houses

Located on Freemason St. —

Open Saturday and Sunday

Noon–5 p.m.

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

By Appointment

Tuesday-Thursday

10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Moses Myers House

The oldest Jewish home in America open to the public as a museum offers a glimpse of the life of an early 19th century merchant family.
More about the house

About the Library

With an extensive collection of more than 106,000 rare and unique volumes relating to the history of art, the Jean Outland Chrysler Art Library is one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the library

Willoughby-Baylor House

Completed in 1794, this former home now presents a mix of art and artifacts. See what's on view

Located in Norfolk

One Memorial Place,
Norfolk, VA
Get Directions

While You're Here

Visit our Museum Shop
and the Wisteria Cafe.

Perry Glass Studio

A state-of-art facility on the Museum’s campus. See a free glassmaking demo Tuesdays–Sunday at noon. Like what you see? Take a class with us! More about the Studio

Moses Myers House

The home of the first permanent Jewish residents of Norfolk, this historic house offers a glimpse of the life of a wealthy early 19th-century merchant family.
More about the house

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

With an extensive collection of more than 106,000 rare and unique volumes relating to the history of art, the Jean Outland Chrysler Library is one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the Library

Weddings & Event Rentals

The perfect place for your big day or special event. Get the details

Take a tour

We offer a number of tours on different topics. More about tours

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

Visit one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the library

About the Chrysler

Our story spans well over 100 years. See where we began, how we grew, and where we're going. Explore our history

News and Announcements

See what's happening at the Museum, read Chrysler Magazine, and find our Media Center. Read now

Location

745 Duke Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
757-333-6299

Always Free Parking

Get Directions

Third Thursdays

Live art performances monthly.
See the archive

Studio Team

Meet the brilliant minds behind the Studio.
See the team

Studio Assistantship Program

Further your career and join us in Norfolk.
Find out more

The Masterpiece Society

Learn about this innovative group of museum supporters.
Meet the Masterpiece Society

Planned Giving

Help ensure the long-term success of the Museum.
Learn about planned giving

Historic Houses

Located on Freemason St. —

Open Saturday and Sunday

Noon–5 p.m.

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

By Appointment

Tuesday-Thursday

10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Moses Myers House

The oldest Jewish home in America open to the public as a museum offers a glimpse of the life of an early 19th century merchant family.
More about the house

About the Library

With an extensive collection of more than 106,000 rare and unique volumes relating to the history of art, the Jean Outland Chrysler Art Library is one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the library

Willoughby-Baylor House

Completed in 1794, this former home now presents a mix of art and artifacts. See what's on view

Located in Norfolk

One Memorial Place,
Norfolk, VA
Get Directions

While You're Here

Visit our Museum Shop
and the Wisteria Cafe.

Perry Glass Studio

A state-of-art facility on the Museum’s campus. See a free glassmaking demo Tuesdays–Sunday at noon. Like what you see? Take a class with us! More about the Studio

Moses Myers House

The home of the first permanent Jewish residents of Norfolk, this historic house offers a glimpse of the life of a wealthy early 19th-century merchant family.
More about the house

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

With an extensive collection of more than 106,000 rare and unique volumes relating to the history of art, the Jean Outland Chrysler Library is one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the Library

Weddings & Event Rentals

The perfect place for your big day or special event. Get the details

Take a tour

We offer a number of tours on different topics. More about tours

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

Visit one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the library

About the Chrysler

Our story spans well over 100 years. See where we began, how we grew, and where we're going. Explore our history

News and Announcements

See what's happening at the Museum, read Chrysler Magazine, and find our Media Center. Read now

Location

745 Duke Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
757-333-6299

Always Free Parking

Get Directions

Third Thursdays

Live art performances monthly.
See the archive

Studio Team

Meet the brilliant minds behind the Studio.
See the team

Studio Assistantship Program

Further your career and join us in Norfolk.
Find out more

The Masterpiece Society

Learn about this innovative group of museum supporters.
Meet the Masterpiece Society

Planned Giving

Help ensure the long-term success of the Museum.
Learn about planned giving

Collections Menu
Big Ella, Club Paradise, Memphis, Tennessee

Big Ella, Club Paradise, Memphis, Tennessee

Artist: Ernest C. Withers (American, 1922-2007)
Date: 1960s, printed ca. 2000
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Dimensions:
Overall, Image: 18 3/4 × 14 13/16 in. (47.6 × 37.6 cm)
Overall: 20 × 15 15/16 in. (50.8 × 40.5 cm)
Overall, Mat: 26 1/16 × 22 in. (66.2 × 55.9 cm)
Classification: Photography
Credit Line: Gifts of Ernest C. Withers and Panopticon Gallery
Copyright: © Estate of Ernest C. Withers and Panopticon Gallery of Photography, Boston, MA
Object number: 2000.1.6
Terms
  • Woman
  • African-American Artist
  • Music
  • Singing
  • Blues
  • Big Ella
  • White
  • Black
Not on view
DescriptionBig Ella, the Memphis Blues Queen, sings on stage with a full band behind her.

Exhibition History"Pictures Tell the Story," Chrysler Museum of Art, Jan. 28 - May 7, 2000.
"Women and the Civil Rights Movement," Photography Galleries, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, June 14 - October 30, 2016.
"Come Together, Right Now: The Art of Gathering," Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, October 11, 2020 - January 3, 2021.
Label textErnest C. Withers
American, 1922−2007
Big Ella, Club Paradise, Memphis, Tennessee, 1960s
Gelatin silver print (photograph), printed ca. 2000

African American photojournalist Ernest Withers often brought his camera to events at Club Paradise in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. This club was one of the largest in the South where blacks were allowed to perform, including blues singer Ervaella “Big Ella” Tate (here) and Tina Turner (right). By day the Paradise Club hosted community events, including meetings attended by Civil Rights Movement organizers like Coretta Scott King and Fannie Lou Hamer (pictured to the left).

Gift of Ernest C. Withers and Panopticon Gallery 2000.1.6

Published References Ernest C. Withers, with contributions by F. Jack Hurley, Brooks Johnson, and Daniel J. Wolff. PICTURES TELL THE STORY: ERNEST C. WITHERS, REFLECTIONS IN HISTORY. Norfolk, VA: Chrysler Museum of Art. 2000: p. 159.