The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 24, 2024

Fireflies in a Jar, Mentor, Ohio

Fireflies in a Jar, Mentor, Ohio

1995
(American, b. 1953)
America, 20th century
gelatin silver print
Image: 45.5 x 56.7 cm (17 15/16 x 22 5/16 in.); Paper: 50.5 x 60.5 cm (19 7/8 x 23 13/16 in.); Matted: 71.1 x 81.3 cm (28 x 32 in.)
Gift of Friends of Photography 2001.127
Location: not on view

Description

Barbara Bosworth's work concerns society's interaction with nature, or the environment, and addresses the cycles of life, death, and renewal. She is widely known for her series of portraits depicting modern-day hunters, as well as her photographs of national champion trees and Ohio's sacred Indian mounds. In this recent body of work, the Cleveland-born photographer employed her camera to observe a common childhood activity: capturing fireflies in a glass container. This magical and mysterious print transforms the fireflies into abstract splashes of intense brightness against a dark field of summer grass. The timeless quality of the photograph elicits nostalgic feelings in viewers of all ages.
  • Gallery One rotation: November 2, 2015 -
    Gallery One 2012. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 12, 2012-March 5, 2017).
    Trophies of the Hunt: Capturing Nature as Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 24-November 3, 2004).
    Cleveland, Ohio: The Cleveland Museum of Art; 7/24/04 - 11/3/04. "Trophies of the Hunt: Capturing Nature as Art". No exhibition catalogue.
    Gifts from the CMA Friends of Photography. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 7, 2002-April 23, 2003).
    Cleveland, Ohio: The Cleveland Museum of Art; December 7, 2002 - April 23, 2003. "Gifts from the CMA Friends of Photography."
  • {{cite web|title=Fireflies in a Jar, Mentor, Ohio|url=false|author=Barbara Bosworth|year=1995|access-date=24 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2001.127