American Girl in Italy

1951, printed later

Ruth Orkin

(American, 1921–1985)

Culture

America

Medium

gelatin silver print

Credit Line

Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Whitehill Art Purchase Endowment Fund 2023.113

This artwork is known to be under copyright.

Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

Although this appears to be a candid shot, the photograph was staged, made with the cooperation of the woman and men.

Description

Traveling through Italy, photojournalist Ruth Orkin met an American art student and decided to use her as the model in a photo essay about what it was like for a woman to travel alone in Europe. The woman strolls alone, enduring catcalls and amused smiles from a gauntlet of fifteen Italian men. “I’d had this photograph in my mind for years,” said Orkin, “ever since I had been old enough to go through the experience myself.”