The Blackboard, Poland
One of the founders of Magnum Photos in 1947, Chim first gained recognition for his photographs of the Spanish Civil War and the Popular Front in Paris during World War II. His intuitive ability to identify and record key moments in the experience of events and of his surroundings allowed him to access wordlessly the emotional heart of a subject, a talent that was particularly useful for photographing children. This image is from a UNESCO-commissioned project to document the effects of World War II on Europe's children. It depicts a child who has lost her parents in the war, and the drawing on the blackboard is her rendition of "home."
Artwork Details
- Title: The Blackboard, Poland
- Artist: David "Chim" Seymour (American (born Poland), 1911–1956)
- Date: 1948
- Medium: Gelatin silver print
- Dimensions: Image: 48 x 35.4 cm (18 7/8 x 13 15/16 in.)
Mount: 48.4 x 35.4 cm (19 1/16 x 13 15/16 in.) - Classification: Photographs
- Credit Line: Gift of Photography in the Fine Arts, 1959
- Object Number: 59.559.70
- Rights and Reproduction: © David "Chim" Seymour / Magnum Photos
- Curatorial Department: Photographs
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
David "Chim" Seymour
1950–56
Ed Clark
1966
Multiple artists/makers
1902–3
Multiple artists/makers
1967
Jasper Johns
1955
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.