On exhibit
Ruth Orkin (American, 1921-1985)
American Girl in Italy, 1951, printed 1980
Gelatin silver print
David Hall Collection
Ruth Orkin, the daughter of a toy manufacturer and silent film actress, received her first camera at the age of ten. This gift instilled her lifelong passion for photography and her rise to prominence for her images of New York City. She captured the mundane-the candid moments revealed the energy of a neighborhood, or the personalities of the people caught on film. A member of the Photo League, Orkin and her contemporaries-such as Sid Grossman, Morris Engel, Aaron Siskind, and Lisette Model - were early practitioners of social justice. They used their cameras to document disparities in economic wealth and the need for social change.
Deemed by the government as "anti-American" in 1947, at the height of McCarthyism, the Photo League was blacklisted by the Justice Department and eventually the group disbanded in the early 1950s.
While members of the Photo League did not continue their work after the group dissolved, many continued to have successful careers.
In 1951, Orkin made one of her most famous photographs, American Girl in Italy. On a travel assignment for LIFE magazine, Orkin visited Italy and met fellow American Jinx Allen. As two women traveling solo, Orkin was inspired to shoot a photo series dedicated to female travelers which she called Don't Be Afraid to Travel Alone. In this image, Orkin captured Jinx walking along the streets of Florence. As men catcall and gawk at her, Jinx hurriedly- even confidently — continues to move along the sidewalk.
Bottom:
August
On exhibit
Ruth Orkin (American, 1921-1985)
American Girl in Italy, 1951, printed 1980
Gelatin silver print
David Hall Collection
Ruth Orkin, the daughter of a toy manufacturer and silent film actress, received her first camera at the age of ten. This gift instilled her lifelong passion for photography and her rise to prominence for her images of New York City. She captured the mundane-the candid moments revealed the energy of a neighborhood, or the personalities of the people caught on film. A member of the Photo League, Orkin and her contemporaries-such as Sid Grossman, Morris Engel, Aaron Siskind, and Lisette Model - were early practitioners of social justice. They used their cameras to document disparities in economic wealth and the need for social change.
Deemed by the government as "anti-American" in 1947, at the height of McCarthyism, the Photo League was blacklisted by the Justice Department and eventually the group disbanded in the early 1950s.
While members of the Photo League did not continue their work after the group dissolved, many continued to have successful careers.
In 1951, Orkin made one of her most famous photographs, American Girl in Italy. On a travel assignment for LIFE magazine, Orkin visited Italy and met fellow American Jinx Allen. As two women traveling solo, Orkin was inspired to shoot a photo series dedicated to female travelers which she called Don't Be Afraid to Travel Alone. In this image, Orkin captured Jinx walking along the streets of Florence. As men catcall and gawk at her, Jinx hurriedly- even confidently — continues to move along the sidewalk.
Bottom:
August