Artwork Page for Parade/Baby

Details / Information for Parade/Baby

Parade/Baby

1951

Ruth Orkin

(American, 1921–1985)
Culture
America
Medium
gelatin silver print
Measurements
Image: 27.9 x 35.6 cm (11 x 14 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mary Engel/Ruth Orkin Photo Archive 2023.65
Copyright
Copyright
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

In the 1940s “the doll tests,” now controversial psychological experiments, purported to study the impact of segregation on Black children and found that a majority of them preferred the white doll.

Description

While there were some Black baby dolls available for sale earlier, the first widely distributed, commercially manufactured Black baby doll was marketed in the 1950s. This enigmatic scene seems to have occurred in London. A crowd composed entirely of white people is being shown, or perhaps offered for sale, a Black baby doll, which seems by their expressions to appear a curious object to them.
A horizontally oriented black-and-white photograph depicts several women with light skin tones in a crowd. On our right, an outstretched hand holds a dark-skinned baby doll facing our left. In the foreground, a woman wearing a fur coat and hat stands centrally, looking toward the doll. Behind her, other women observe the scene. A storefront sign in the background features block letters reading, "77 79 E BARNETT & CO LTD".

Parade/Baby

1951

Ruth Orkin

(American, 1921–1985)
America

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