Eugene Omar Goldbeck
Indoctrination Division, Air Training Command, Lackland Air Base, San Antonio, Texas

ExpandFavorite

Images(3)

Artist Eugene Omar Goldbeck American, 1892–1986

CultureAmerican

Titles

Indoctrination Division, Air Training Command, Lackland Air Base, San Antonio, Texas

DateJuly 19, 1947

MediumGelatin silver print

DimensionsImage: 9 3/8 × 7 9/16 in. (23.9 × 19.2 cm)
Sheet: 12 9/16 × 10 in. (31.9 × 25.4 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mike and Mickey Marvins

Object number2015.627

Not on view

Explore Further

Department

Photography

Special Collections

Marvins Family Collections

Object Type

PHOTOGRAPHS

DescriptionThe Texas native E. O. Goldbeck enjoyed an almost eighty-year career as a photographer. He was best known for two types of photographs, both requiring technical skill and, at times, considerable advance planning. During his career, Goldbeck became known as the “unofficial photographer of American’s military” for his photographs of large military groups positioned in striking designs. Indoctrination Division was his most ambitious: 21,765 men were arranged to represent the U.S. Air Force insignia, requiring six weeks of planning and the construction of a two-hundred-foot tower. It is his most frequently reproduced picture.
ProvenanceThe artist, San Antonio; purchased by Michael Marvins and Michele Marvins, Houston; given to MFAH, 2015.
Exhibition History“A Photographer’s Collection: Gifts from Michael and Michele Marvins,” The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, April 4–July 5, 2015.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

In negative, recto, bottom center: Indoctrination Dviision, Air Training Command // Lackland Air Base, San Antonio, Texas, July 19, 1947
In negative, recto, bottom right: © // GOLDBECK // [illegible] 1979-K // [illegible] // [illegible] [inside outline of continental United States]
Signed in black ink, recto, bottom right: E.O. Goldbeck

Stamped in purple, verso: PHOTO BY // National Photo & News Service // SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Stamped in purple verso: ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS PICTURE // Mailed anywhere in U. S. or posessions for [illegible crossed out] each
Stamped in red, verso: NATIONAL PHTOO & NEWS SERVICE // 723 DREXEL AVENUE // SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78211
Stamped in purple, verso: NATIONAL PHOTO & NEWS SERVICE // San Antonio, Texas
Stamped in red, verso: Copies of this beautiful unusual photograph sent // Postpaid to any address upon receipt of $15.00 // NATIONAL PHOTO & NEWS SERVICE, 723 DREXEL AVE., // SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78210
Stamped in purple, verso: THIS IS A COPYRIGHTED PHOTOGRAPH [overlapping red stamp] // IF REPRODUCED BE SURE TO SHOW // COPYRIGHT AND CREDIT LINE. // // NATIONAL PHOTO & NEWS SERVICE

Signed in black ink, recto, bottom right: E.O. Goldbeck

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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