The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of February 23, 2026

William King (born 1925)

1981

Elliott Erwitt

(American, 1928–2023)
publisher

Guild Hall Museum

America
gelatin silver print
Image: 25.4 x 34.3 cm (10 x 13 1/2 in.); Paper: 27.9 x 35.4 cm (11 x 13 15/16 in.); Matted: 40.6 x 50.8 cm (16 x 20 in.)
Given by Helen A. Weinberg in loving memory of her husband Kenneth G. Weinberg 1999.271.2
Location: Not on view

Description

Having enjoyed a long, successful career as a photojournalist and commercial photographer, Erwitt is perhaps best known for his personal work. Both people and dogs are presented in humorous images that record unexpected or incongruous juxtapositions of subject, setting, and situation. His innate wit is clearly at work when he cleverly posed and dramatically lit the sculptor William King surrounded by a host of vinyl figures in his East Hampton, Long Island, studio. Widely recognized, King creates witty figurative sculptures in all manner of materials that reflect his sharp insight into the human condition and ability to make forms imbued with a strong sense of line, gesture, and grace. It was only fitting that Erwitt should have made King's portrait, since both are so identified with successfully combining humor and art.
  • Helen A. Weinberg [1927-2012], Shaker Heights, OH
    March 15, 2000
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Artists Photographing Artists. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 13, 2001-February 27, 2002).
    The Cleveland Museum of Art; 10/13/01-2/27/02. "Artists Photographing Artists," no catalogue.
  • {{cite web|title=William King (born 1925)|url=false|author=Elliott Erwitt, Guild Hall Museum|year=1981|access-date=23 February 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1999.271.2