Photography

The millions of photographs in the Museum's collections compose a vast mosaic of the nation's history. Photographs accompany most artifact collections. Thousands of images document engineering projects, for example, and more record the steel, petroleum, and railroad industries.

Some 150,000 images capture the history, art, and science of photography. Nineteenth-century photography, from its initial development by W. H. F. Talbot and Louis Daguerre, is especially well represented and includes cased images, paper photographs, and apparatus. Glass stereographs and news-service negatives by the Underwood & Underwood firm document life in America between the 1890s and the 1930s. The history of amateur photography and photojournalism are preserved here, along with the work of 20th-century masters such as Richard Avedon and Edward Weston. Thousands of cameras and other equipment represent the technical and business side of the field.

Pigment print of Bob Weingarten's portrait of Don Shula from his "Portraits without People" series. Background images are of the Miami Dolphins football stadium, exterior view from Don Shula Restaurant, and the interior of a church showing pews.
Description
Pigment print of Bob Weingarten's portrait of Don Shula from his "Portraits without People" series. Background images are of the Miami Dolphins football stadium, exterior view from Don Shula Restaurant, and the interior of a church showing pews. Central image is the Vince Lombardi Trophy from Superbowl XIII - "AFC vs. NFC Miami 24 Minnesota 7" "RW". Other elements include a golf course and drawings from a playbook. "RW" blindstamp, "AP" and signed by photographer along bottom edge.
date made
2009
represented
Shula, Don
maker
Weingarten, Robert I.
ID Number
2008.0179.05
accession number
2008.0179
catalog number
2008.0179.05
Known to millions as both the "Voice" and the "Dean" of the Grand Ole Opry, Grant Turner (1912-1991) worked for WSM radio for nearly 50 years.Currently not on view
Description
Known to millions as both the "Voice" and the "Dean" of the Grand Ole Opry, Grant Turner (1912-1991) worked for WSM radio for nearly 50 years.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1972
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.056
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.056
Henry Horenstein's photographs of fans swarming Ernest Tubb (1914-1984) was a familiar scene. Fans had many opportunities to see, hear, and hug Tubb. Between the early 1960s and 1982, he worked 150 to 200 shows each year.Currently not on view
Description
Henry Horenstein's photographs of fans swarming Ernest Tubb (1914-1984) was a familiar scene. Fans had many opportunities to see, hear, and hug Tubb. Between the early 1960s and 1982, he worked 150 to 200 shows each year.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.083
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.083
Pigment print of Bob Weingarten's portrait of Stephen Sondheim from his "Portraits without People" series. Background image is George Seurat's Sunday in the Park.
Description
Pigment print of Bob Weingarten's portrait of Stephen Sondheim from his "Portraits without People" series. Background image is George Seurat's Sunday in the Park. Elements include lyrics from Sunday in the Park with George - "How there's always something to see How you have to step a bit back to see", exterior of the home of George Gershwin, a poster of a woman, and a prominent central figure - a Tony award. "RW" blindstamp, "AP" and signed by photographer along bottom edge.
date made
2009
maker
Weingarten, Robert I.
ID Number
2008.0179.06
accession number
2008.0179
catalog number
2008.0179.06
The first accordion was built in Germany in 1822. It took close to one hundred years before it was introduced into country music.Currently not on view
Description
The first accordion was built in Germany in 1822. It took close to one hundred years before it was introduced into country music.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1977
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.027
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.027
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
2000-06-22
maker
Kennerly, David Hume
ID Number
2003.0005.005
catalog number
2003.0005.005
accession number
2003.0005
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2001
photographer
Collier, Bonnie B.
ID Number
2006.0150.04
accession number
2006.0150
catalog number
2006.0150.04
hand colored stereograph; printed on verso "AGENTS WANTED.-- To sell a valuable invention not liable to get out of repair, and indispensable in every family."; man standing in profile on small patio holding a wire rack in his left hand and has a fireplace blower hanging off his r
Description (Brief)
hand colored stereograph; printed on verso "AGENTS WANTED.-- To sell a valuable invention not liable to get out of repair, and indispensable in every family."; man standing in profile on small patio holding a wire rack in his left hand and has a fireplace blower hanging off his right shoulder
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th-early 20th century
ID Number
2012.3033.0486
nonaccession number
2012.3033
catalog number
2012.3033.0486
The country music sound created by Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys starting in 1938, would become a new style of country music named "bluegrass."Currently not on view
Description
The country music sound created by Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys starting in 1938, would become a new style of country music named "bluegrass."
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
Associated Name
Monroe, Bill
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.104
catalog number
2003.0169.104
accession number
2003.0169
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
May 2009
date printed
Jan 2010
maker
Kunin, Claudia
ID Number
2010.0034.08
catalog number
2010.0034.08
accession number
2010.0034
Some fans traveled great distances to participate in music festivals, and would camp nearby. This couple brought a grill to make a meal or two.Currently not on view
Description
Some fans traveled great distances to participate in music festivals, and would camp nearby. This couple brought a grill to make a meal or two.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1972
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.097
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.097
A Tex Ritter fan holds a 45 RPM record as Ritter signs a photograph.Currently not on view
Description
A Tex Ritter fan holds a 45 RPM record as Ritter signs a photograph.
Location
Currently not on view
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.064
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.064
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2003-08-14
maker
Weingarten, Robert I.
ID Number
2017.0338.0011.05
accession number
2017.0338
catalog number
2017.0338.0011.05
Tonal Mist II, Cascades, WA, color pigment print (IRIS print) by Robert Weingarten, printed by Nash Editions (blind stamp, lower left corner), printed on IRIS 3047. Recto: signed. Brown toned layers of pine trees, mist and mountains.
Description
Tonal Mist II, Cascades, WA, color pigment print (IRIS print) by Robert Weingarten, printed by Nash Editions (blind stamp, lower left corner), printed on IRIS 3047. Recto: signed. Brown toned layers of pine trees, mist and mountains.
Date made
2001
2000
maker
Weingarten, Robert I.
ID Number
2005.0266.08
accession number
2005.0266
catalog number
2005.0266.08
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2001
photographer
Collier, Bonnie B.
ID Number
2006.0150.05
accession number
2006.0150
catalog number
2006.0150.05
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2001
maker
Dreskin, Cybele
ID Number
2005.0237.09
catalog number
2005.0237.09
accession number
2005.0237
hand colored stereograph; printed on yellow label on verso "PRECAUTION. / Pretty Nurse Maid. 'Dear me, children!
Description (Brief)
hand colored stereograph; printed on yellow label on verso "PRECAUTION. / Pretty Nurse Maid. 'Dear me, children! why don't you keep your hats on your heads,--so.'; a man and woman standing with two children; two young girls wearing dark pink dresses, white hose, black shoes, and light colored jackets are standing in front of a woman, the woman is pushing the hats on both children down on their heads and partially covering their faces; woman is wearing a checkered dress and white coat with black piping around edges and a hat; man is wearing a dark suit and hat, standing directly behind the woman with his hand resting on her left shoulder; painted studio backdrop
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th-early 20th century
ID Number
2012.3033.0467
nonaccession number
2012.3033
catalog number
2012.3033.0467
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 20th century
maker
Hosoe, Eikoh
ID Number
PG.69.152.1
accession number
301337
catalog number
69.152.1
The Lilly Brothers began as an old-time duet on radio stations in West Virginia, but eventually moved into bluegrass with the addition of a banjo.
Description
The Lilly Brothers began as an old-time duet on radio stations in West Virginia, but eventually moved into bluegrass with the addition of a banjo. They are credited with bringing the bluegrass sound to New England and the Boston area, with lengthy stints at the Hillbilly Ranch from 1952 into the 1970s.
Location
Currently not on view
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.062
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.062
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
2001
maker
Dreskin, Cybele
ID Number
2005.0237.06
catalog number
2005.0237.06
accession number
2005.0237
Pigment print of Bob Weingarten's portrait of Itzhak Perlman from his "Portraits without People" series. Overall greenish cast.
Description
Pigment print of Bob Weingarten's portrait of Itzhak Perlman from his "Portraits without People" series. Overall greenish cast. Elements include two background images of leafy trees, wooden wine rack grid with wine bottles, central image of a violin head, logo of the Perlman music program, onions in a wooden bowl, a self-portrait by Chuck Close, a youth orchestra, a New York Mets baseball, a photograph of a family(?) and a group of young campers. "RW" blindstamp, "AP" and signed by photographer along bottom edge.
date made
2009
2007
represented
Perlman, Itzhak
maker
Weingarten, Robert I.
ID Number
2008.0179.04
accession number
2008.0179
catalog number
2008.0179.04
Autumn Canopy, Cascades, WA, color pigment print (IRIS print) by Robert Weingarten, 17/33, printed by Nash Editions (blind stamp, lower left corner), printed on IRIS 3047. Recto: Numbered and signed. Verso: title.
Description
Autumn Canopy, Cascades, WA, color pigment print (IRIS print) by Robert Weingarten, 17/33, printed by Nash Editions (blind stamp, lower left corner), printed on IRIS 3047. Recto: Numbered and signed. Verso: title. Green and yellow leafed trees in a row lead to dark space with red leaves in center of print; luminous yellow leaves lie among vibrant green grass.
Date made
2001
2000
maker
Weingarten, Robert I.
ID Number
2005.0266.10
accession number
2005.0266
catalog number
2005.0266.10
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 20th century
maker
Hosoe, Eikoh
ID Number
PG.69.152.4
accession number
301337
catalog number
69.152.4
For much of his career, Ernest Tubb, the "Texas Troubadour" was considered the ultimate honky tonk vocalist and stylist. Inspired by Jimmie Rodgers in the 1920s, Tubb sustained a musical career that at times also branched into film and television.
Description
For much of his career, Ernest Tubb, the "Texas Troubadour" was considered the ultimate honky tonk vocalist and stylist. Inspired by Jimmie Rodgers in the 1920s, Tubb sustained a musical career that at times also branched into film and television. No artist toured as much, or for as long as Ernest Tubb, who worked 150 to 200 shows each year between the early 1960s and 1982. No artist was kinder to his fans, and no fans were more loyal to their star. Ernest Tubb had one national fan club with a single president for its entire existence between 1944 and its deactivation in the early 1990s.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.085
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.085

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