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
Not on view

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.

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

Defense of Odessa, Ukrainian Soviet Republic, USSR
Georgy Zelma
1941–1942
Gelatin silver print
2002.2767
Physical culture demonstration, Red Square
Georgy Zelma
1935, printed 1980s
Gelatin silver print
2023.541
Red Army Parade
Georgy Zelma
1931
Gelatin silver print
2002.2762
recto of sheet
Georgy Zelma
no date
Gelatin silver print
96.754
Untitled
Georgy Zelma
c. 1943
Gelatin silver print
2002.2766
Untitled
Georgy Zelma
1931
Gelatin silver print
2002.2763
T-34 Tank, Motherland, Stalingrad, January 31
Georgy Zelma
1945
Gelatin silver print
2002.2769
Airship CCCP-B2
Georgy Zelma
1931
Gelatin silver print
2002.2768
Self Portrait
Georgy Zelma
1925
Gelatin silver print
2002.2765
Buttress Construction
Georgy Zelma
1930s
Gelatin silver print
2002.2771
Destroyed Tank
Georgy Zelma
c. 1943
Gelatin silver print
2002.2764