Artist
Bernard Cole (American, born England, 1911–1982)American, born England, 1911–1982
CultureAmerican
Titles
- Shoemaker's Lunch
Date1949
PlaceNewark, New Jersey, United States
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsImage: 8 7/8 × 7 3/8 in. (22.5 × 18.8 cm)
Sheet: 9 15/16 × 7 15/16 in. (25.2 × 20.2 cm)
Sheet: 9 15/16 × 7 15/16 in. (25.2 × 20.2 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Polaroid Foundation
Object number81.46
Not on view
Explore Further
Department
PhotographyObject Type
Photo League instructors encouraged their students to have a
distinct point of view, and to consider their own lived experiences when
photographing others. This philosophy encouraged a respect and empathy for all people,
and led some League members to photograph their own neighborhoods, cultures, and
communities. Bernard Cole’s photograph of a shoemaker taking a break from work
to enjoy lunch is one such example—before studying at the League and becoming a
professional photographer, Cole worked at a shoe factory and was a union
organizer for the United Shoe Workers.
Provenance[Visual Studies Workshop, Rochester, New York]; purchased by MFAH, 1981.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Inscribed in pencil, verso, lower right: Shoemakers Lunch // Photograph // Bernard Cole [signed]
Signed in pencil, verso, lower right: Bernard Cole
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
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