Georgy Zelma
Odessa

Odessa
Odessa
Odessa
ArtistRussian, 1906–1984
CultureRussian
Titles
  • Odessa
Date1968
PlaceOdessa, Ukraine
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsImage: 13 7/8 × 10 15/16 in. (35.2 × 27.8 cm)
Sheet: 13 7/8 × 10 15/16 in. (35.2 × 27.8 cm)
Credit LineGift of Howard Schickler and David Lafaille
Object number95.350
Non exposé

Explore Further

Department
Photography
Object Type
Description
Running over 1,500 miles, the Odessa
catacombs are one of the largest systems of underground tunnels in the world.
Though originally formed in the process of stone mining, the tunnels played an
important role during World War II when the labyrinth of passages was utilized to
hide Soviet partisans. Georgi Zelma, a noted war photographer, returned to
these tunnels years later to photograph the return of mining operations.
Zelma’s image captures the absolute darkness of the mines, relieved only by the
light on each man’s helmet.



ProvenanceHoward Schickler and David Lafaille; given to MFAH, 1995.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Stamped in black ink, verso, bottom center: [stamp in Cyrillic characters]
Inscribed in black ink, verso, bottom left: Og[?]ecca 1968
Signed in black ink, verso, bottom right: G. Zelma [inscription in Cyrillic]
Inscribed in pencil, verso, bottom right corner: Zelma // BZA563
Signed in black ink, verso, bottom right: G. Zelma [inscription in Cyrillic]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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