Paul Robeson as Emperor Jones, New York

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Artist Edward Steichen (American, born Luxembourg, 1879–1973)American, born Luxembourg, 1879–1973

CultureAmerican

Titles

Paul Robeson as Emperor Jones, New York

Date1933

Place depictedNew York, New York, United States

MediumGelatin silver print

DimensionsImage: 9 7/16 × 7 1/2 in. (24 × 19 cm)
Sheet: 9 7/8 × 7 15/16 in. (25.1 × 20.1 cm)
Mount: 13 7/8 × 10 11/16 in. (35.2 × 27.2 cm)

Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Caroline Wiess Law Accessions Endowment, The Manfred Heiting Collection

Object number2002.2345

Current Location

The Nancy and Rich Kinder Building

Gallery 208

On view

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Department

Photography

Special Collections

Manfred Heiting Collection of Photography

Object Type

PHOTOGRAPHS

DescriptionEdward Steichen’s portrait of Paul Robeson depicts the actor in costume for the 1933 film "The Emperor Jones." Although the film was Robeson’s first, he was reprising his role as the titular character from a 1924 stage production. Robeson was the first African American actor to receive top billing in a major American film, and Steichen’s portrait—originally shot for "Vanity Fair"—draws out Robeson’s powerful presence before the camera. In addition to his rising stardom on the screen, Robeson became an increasingly vocal political activist who championed civil rights at home and anti-imperialism abroad.
Provenance[Manfred Heiting, Malibu, California]; purchased by MFAH, 2002.
Exhibition History"American Vision: Photographers from the East, Selections from the Manfred Heiting Collection purchased by the Brown Foundation for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston from August 23-December 29, 2003.

"The Sounds I See: Photographs of Musicians," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Cameron Foundation Gallery, September 20, 2008 - January 19, 2009.

“Made for Magazines: Iconic 20th-Century Photographs,” The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, February 9–May 4, 2014.
Published References Vanity Fair, August 1933. Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Inscribed in negative, recto, upper edge: PAUL ROBESON // 1352-20 V.F.
Stamped in black, recto, bottom center: COPYRIGHT // The Conde Nast Publications, Inc.

Inscribed in black, verso of mount, upper right: 1357-20
Inscribed in pencil, verso of mount, top left center: 5 [circled]
Stamped in black, verso of mount: PHOTOGRAPH BY STEICHEN // 139 EAST 69TH STREET // NEW YORK CITY
Stamped in black, verso of mount: COPYRIGHT // Conde Nast Publications, Inc.

The photograph is unsigned.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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