Accession Number
2014/2.303

Title
Chopper, Milwaukee

Artist(s)
Danny Lyon

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
1966; printed 2008

Medium & Support
gelatin silver print on paper

Dimensions
14 in x 11 in (35.56 cm x 27.94 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James Agah, Class of 1989 (BBA)

Subject matter
The Bikeriders series began in 1963 when Danny Lyon attended a motorcycle rally in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. He captured a group of bikers on Route 12 and at the rally, quickly showing them to Hugh Edwards. Edwards encouraged his work, and Lyon continued to take photographs of the bikers. Lyon became part of the Chicago Outlaws, documenting them over the next four years. In 1968, The Bikeriders was published for the first time, becoming the second publication to use text transcribed from tape recordings. Many of the images were originally shot in color, printed in black and white for the publication, and since re-printed almost exclusively in black and white.

Physical Description
A photograph of three men gathered around a motorcycle. A man in the foreground stands with his back to the camera, while the two other men examine the machine. Behind them, a brick wall is partially illuminated by bright sun.

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
group portraits
jackets (garments)
jeans
men (male humans)
motorcycles
motorcyclists
vests (garments)