© The Estate of Harry Callahan, Courtesy Pace Gallery
Currently not on view
Chicago,
1950
Harry Callahan, 1912–1999; born Detroit, MI; died Atlanta, GA; active Chicago, IL, and Providence, RI
x1981-95
In this trio of photographs, Callahan shows an interest in both formal experimentation and the emotional and interpersonal realm of the everyday. Capturing female passersby on the streets of Chicago, Callahan used formal strategies—shooting at an angle, tight framing and
cropping—to heighten the psychological drama of the experience of urban space. Indeed, the emotive power of these pictures stems from their ability to simultaneously convey a sense of the private psyche of his subjects and the performative nature of strangers confronting one another
in a crowded city. Through his teaching at the Institute of Design in Chicago, Callahan shaped a generation of photographers who further developed an aesthetic and practice of street photography.
cropping—to heighten the psychological drama of the experience of urban space. Indeed, the emotive power of these pictures stems from their ability to simultaneously convey a sense of the private psyche of his subjects and the performative nature of strangers confronting one another
in a crowded city. Through his teaching at the Institute of Design in Chicago, Callahan shaped a generation of photographers who further developed an aesthetic and practice of street photography.
Information
Title
Chicago
Dates
1950
Maker
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Dimensions
16 x 24.5 cm. (6 5/16 x 9 5/8 in.)
mount: 38 x 33 cm. (14 15/16 x 13 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Robert A. Wayne, Class of 1960
Object Number
x1981-95
Place Made
North America, United States, Illinois, Chicago
Reference Numbers
EM 77
Culture
Techniques
Subject
