Artwork Page for Arthur and Basil

Details / Information for Arthur and Basil

Arthur and Basil

1947

Ruth Orkin

(American, 1921–1985)
Culture
America
Medium
gelatin silver print
Measurements
Image: 17.8 x 24.1 cm (7 x 9 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mary Engel/Ruth Orkin Photo Archive 2023.67
Copyright
Copyright
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

Ruth Orkin photographed many of the most important classical musicians of the 20th century including Arthur Rubinstein, one of the finest classical pianists of the day.

Description

Orkin was assigned by Rubinstein’s manager to photograph his daily activities. “I only had to keep up with him while he did all his various errands,” she recalled. In this image, she captured his chance encounter on the street with a friend, movie star Basil Rathbone. At the end of the day, the musician seemed fine, but Orkin was exhausted, “even though he is at least thirty-five years older than I am!”
A horizontally oriented black-and-white photograph depicts two men with light skin tones in suits standing on a sidewalk. On our left, a man in a pinstripe jacket faces right, a folder under his arm. Facing him, a man in a fedora points while holding a cane. Nearby, two women walk past, one with a medium-dark skin tone. A stone wall and recessed doors form the backdrop.

Arthur and Basil

1947

Ruth Orkin

(American, 1921–1985)
America

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