Eleanor and Barbara, Chicago
Maker
Callahan, Harry
(American, 1912-1999)
Date1954
MediumGelatin silver print
Dimensionsimage: 7 5/8 in x 9 11/16 in; paper: 8 in x 10 in
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1984:1
Collections
Callahan often transformed his everyday subjects—nature, architecture, city streets, his wife Eleanor and daughter Judith into (barely recognizable) simple forms; a visual essence that still evokes their worldly counterparts. Callahan’s goal, however, was to describe, not to conceal or distort. For each new subject, he refreshed his photographic vocabulary and used his 8x10 view camera and strong sense of design and composition to create meticulously crafted and elegant images.
Harry Callahan produced several monographs of his work including Harry Callahan (1996), Water’s Edge (1980), Harry Callahan: Color (1980), Callahan (1976), Photographs: Harry Callahan (1965), The Multiple Image (1961), and On My Eyes (1960). His work is held in the collections of numerous museums including the Art Institute of Chicago; Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago; Museum of Modern Art, New York and the George Eastman House, New York.