Godfrey Frankel
Chatham Barber Shop, New York

Chatham Barber Shop, New York

© 1947 Estate of Godfrey Frankel

Chatham Barber Shop, New York
Chatham Barber Shop, New York
ArtistAmerican, 1912–1995
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Chatham Barber Shop, New York
Date1947
Place depictedNew York, New York, United States
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsImage: 13 11/16 × 10 3/4 in. (34.8 × 27.3 cm)
Sheet: 13 11/16 × 10 3/4 in. (34.8 × 27.3 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Mundy Companies
Object number92.70
Non exposé

Explore Further

Department
Photography
Object Type
Description

Godfrey Frankel joined the Photo League shortly after moving to New
York City in 1946 to study social work. Like many League members, Frankel
frequently photographed the diverse and densely populated Lower East Side.
Chatham Barber Shop offers rich details about the business and neighborhood at
large. This combination barbershop and tattoo parlor hosts a rich collection of
signs, signaling a clientele of both English and Chinese speakers, and the graphic
“BLACK EYE SPECIALIST” in the left of the image indicates that they could help
reduce the appearance of black eyes—a useful service for more unruly clients.




Provenance[Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York]; purchased by MFAH, 1992.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Inscribed in pencil, verso, top left corner: E
Inscribed in pencil, verso, top center: Godfrey Frankel [signed] // Chatham Barber Shop // New York 1947 // Gelatin Silver Print on // Polyfiber Paper
Signed in pencil, verso, top center: Godfrey Frankel

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

New York, 1947, 3rd Avenue at Chatham Square
Godfrey Frankel
1947
Gelatin silver print
2003.457
New York Bakery, Lower East Side
Godfrey Frankel
1947
Gelatin silver contact print
2003.458
Nude
Godfrey Frankel
1978, printed 1992
Gelatin silver print with coating
2003.462
Nude
Godfrey Frankel
1940s, printed 1992
Gelatin silver print with coating
2003.460
Nude
Godfrey Frankel
1940s, printed later
Gelatin silver print with coating
2003.461
Lillian; Lisbon, Portugal
Godfrey Frankel
1978, printed 1992
Gelatin silver print with coating
2003.463
Untitled
Godfrey Frankel
1947
Gelatin silver print
99.124
Cup and Cover
Elizabeth Godfrey
1741
Sterling silver and gilding
2023.132.A,.B
Portrait of a Lady
Sir Godfrey Kneller
Oil on canvas
96.1563
Untitled
DeWitt Godfrey
1989
Welded steel
91.1341
Untitled (#009)
DeWitt Godfrey
1985
Charcoal on wove paper
86.159
Untitled
DeWitt Godfrey
1990
Ink on Japanese paper
91.1342