Artwork Page for Fifth Avenue Parade

Details / Information for Fifth Avenue Parade

Fifth Avenue Parade

1947

Ruth Orkin

(American, 1921–1985)
Culture
America
Medium
gelatin silver print
Measurements
Image: 24.8 x 17.8 cm (9 3/4 x 7 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mary Engel/Ruth Orkin Photo Archive 2023.62
Copyright
Copyright
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

The United States has a long history of discrimination against, and suspicion of, Asian Americans.

Description

Ruth Orkin excelled at capturing how the gazes and gestures of people in a crowd express their inter relationships and attitudes. When photographing parades, she most often turned her camera on the audience rather than the marchers. This photo was taken in 1947, just two years after the end of World War II, when Japan was an enemy nation. The focus of Orkin’s attention are a boy and girl of Asian descent watching the parade. The boy protectively wraps his arm around his sister’s shoulder.
A vertically oriented black-and-white photograph depicts a crowd. In the foreground, three children with light to medium skin tones stand together. The central boy, wearing a white shirt, suspenders, and high-waisted trousers, rests a hand on the girl's shoulder to our left. She wears a short-sleeved dress and looks away. To our right, another boy in a plaid shirt and shorts gazes upward. Many adults and children fill the background.

Fifth Avenue Parade

1947

Ruth Orkin

(American, 1921–1985)
America

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