The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 19, 2025

Arthur and Basil

1947

Ruth Orkin

(American, 1921–1985)
America
gelatin silver print
Image: 17.8 x 24.1 cm (7 x 9 1/2 in.)
Gift of Mary Engel/Ruth Orkin Photo Archive 2023.67
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

Ruth Orkin photographed many of the most important classical musicians of the 20th century including Arthur Rubinstein, one of the finest classical pianists of the day.

Description

Orkin was assigned by Rubinstein’s manager to photograph his daily activities. “I only had to keep up with him while he did all his various errands,” she recalled. In this image, she captured his chance encounter on the street with a friend, movie star Basil Rathbone. At the end of the day, the musician seemed fine, but Orkin was exhausted, “even though he is at least thirty-five years older than I am!”
  • ?-2022
    Orkin/Engle Film & Photo Archive, given to The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
    December 5, 2022-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • {{cite web|title=Arthur and Basil|url=false|author=Ruth Orkin|year=1947|access-date=19 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2023.67