Photograph by
Leipzig, Arthur, American, 1918 - 2014
Subject of
Unidentified Man or Men
Unidentified Woman or Women
Date
1940s
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W (Image): 6 3/4 × 8 5/8 in. (17.1 × 21.9 cm)
H x W (Sheet): 7 5/8 × 9 1/2 in. (19.4 × 24.1 cm)
Description
A black and white photograph of an unidentified group of performers by Arthur Leipzig. There are six (6) individuals in the image and another figure wearing a hat partially visible on the right. At the left there is a woman in a dark top tucked into a knee-length skirt. She has both arms raised in front of her. Along the wall is an upright piano with a drum, wide brim hat, and coat resting on top. There is a man in a suit seated on a wooden chair playing the piano. In the corner, a man in a dark jacket, tie, and flat cap is watching the pianist. The man in the center of the photograph is looking directly at the camera. He has one foot resting on a washtub bass with his right arm leaning on his knee. The man is dressed in a suit and patterned tie. The woman standing next to him has her body angled toward him with her head turned toward the camera. She has both of her arms raised and elbows bent with her hands appearing in motion. She is wearing a patterned coat over a polka dot dress with white socks and black heels. To the right a girl is playing a banjo. She is wearing a long sleeved dress and smiling. The mostly bare walls of the room are visible along with a dark window and air conditioning duct. There are handwritten inscriptions, including the title, on the reverse.
Place depicted
Beale Street, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Type
gelatin silver prints
Topic
American South
Instrumentalists (Musicians)
Music
Musicians
Nightlife
Photography
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Mildred Leipzig in memory of Arthur Leipzig
Object number
2017.60.2
Restrictions & Rights
© Arthur Leipzig
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5cff5e7ce-f07f-4f76-a6c8-4cb630e88141

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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