Accession Number
2004/2.11.6

Title
Eva and Aunt Ophelia

Artist(s)
David Levinthal

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
1999

Medium & Support
photogravure on paper

Dimensions
17 11/16 in x 20 7/8 in (44.93 cm x 53.02 cm)

Credit Line
Museum purchase made possible by the Margaret Watson Parker Art Collection Fund

Subject matter
This photograph is on in a series of eight photogravures by David Levinthal, published in an edition of 25 by Landfall Press. This series employs tin toy figurines to illustrate moments from Harriet Beecher Stowe's landmark 1852 novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin. The series shares the same name. Levinthal is known for addressing controversial subjects in his tableaux, questioning conventions of straight photography, using recycled imagery and recycled toy objects. In this series, he uses a shallow depth of field, dramatic shadows and chiaroscuro in order to address the darker themes of Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Physical Description
A photograph of two tin figures in a shallow plane, set against a black backdrop, an architecural structure of the same material on the right of the composition. The woman on the left stands, while the woman on the left kneels, looking up at the woman on the right.

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
antebellum
figurines
novels
slavery
tableaux (sculpture)
toys (recreational artifacts)