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
Not on view

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.

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