Photograph by Ed Pollard, Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II digital slr-2008.

American Gothic

Artist Gordon Parks (American, 1912-2006)

CultureAmerican

Date1942, printed later

MediumGelatin silver print

DimensionsOverall, Image: 11 13/16 × 8 7/16 in. (30 × 21.4 cm)
Overall, Paper: 13 15/16 × 10 15/16 in. (35.4 × 27.8 cm)
Overall, Mat: 20 × 16 in. (50.8 × 40.6 cm)

InscribedIt is signed in pencil on verso.

Credit LineMuseum purchase, gift of the Rose Family Trust, Mrs. Dorothy Vaughn in memory of Sandra Lawrence, Anonymous in memory of Rosette B. Alford, Calvin and Lloyd, Inc., Mrs. Connie Coppage, Dr. Kimberly Kinsler, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Loumeau, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Wright, and Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. Photography Fund

Object number2007.17.1

Not on view

DescriptionThis gelatin silver print is of an African-American woman standing in front an American flag while holding a mop in one hand and a broom in the other.

Label TextGordon Parks American (1912-2006) American Gothic (Ella Watson), Washington, D.C., 1942 Gelatin-silver print, printed later Museum purchase, gift of the Rose Family Trust, Mrs. Dorothy Vaughn in memory of Sandra Lawrence, Anonymous in memory of Rosette B. Alford, Calvin and Lloyd, Inc., Mrs. Connie Coppage, Dr. Kimberly Kinsler, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Loumeau, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Wright, and Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. Photography Fund 2007.17.1 The photograph portrays Ella Watkins, who worked on a cleaning crew for the Farm Security Administration building in Washington, D.C. ProvenanceHoward Greenberg Gallery, New York City, New York; Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia, Museum purchase, Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. Photography Fund, 2007 Exhibition History"Gordon Parks Photographs," Modern Art Galleries, The Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, Virginia, March 26 - June 2, 1985. A print of this photograph "Bare Witness: Photographs by Gordon Parks," Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia, January 24 - March 30, 2008. A print of this photograph 'Recent Photography Acquistions," Alice R. and Frank B. Sol Photography Galleries, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, December 12, 2008. "Portraying a Nation: American Portrait Photography, 1850-2010," Alice R. and Sol B. Frank Photo Galleries, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, August 25, 2010 - September 11, 2011.