Artwork Page for David, New York

Details / Information for David, New York

David, New York

1952

Roy DeCarava

(American, 1919–2009)
Culture
America
Medium
gelatin silver print
Measurements
Image: 31.6 x 25.5 cm (12 7/16 x 10 1/16 in.); Paper: 35.3 x 27.9 cm (13 7/8 x 11 in.); Matted: 55.9 x 45.7 cm (22 x 18 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1996.20
Copyright
© The Estate of Roy DeCarava and Sherry Turner DeCarava
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

A Harlem native, Roy DeCarava photographed the joys and travails of everyday life there—people “going to work, coming home from work, at play, in the streets”—in order “to show the strength, the wisdom, the dignity of the Negro people.” DeCarava said, “I want a creative expression, the kind of penetrating insight and understanding of Negroes I believe only a Negro photographer can interpret.” In DeCarava’s book with Langston Hughes, The Sweet Flypaper of Life (on view in the middle of the room), the text is a fictional monologue. The caption for this boy’s image reads, “Rodney’s boy growed up like that little child down the street. Sad. He don’t never smile.”
A vertically oriented black-and-white photograph depicts a young Black boy with a dark skin tone from the waist up, leaning against a dark post with his hands behind his back. He wears a short-sleeved shirt with a light leaf and floral pattern, one button fastened at the chest. His brow is furrowed and his lips are pressed together. Behind him, a blurred street with cars recedes to the left.

David, New York

1952

Roy DeCarava

(American, 1919–2009)
America

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

    Contact Us

    The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

    Update or Correct Artwork Information

    Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

    Report a Website Issue

    Further Questions About This Artwork