Accession Number
2014/2.311

Title
Test Pilot Ahmet Khan Sultan, Twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Enjoys a Cigarette

Artist(s)
Dmitri Baltermants

Artist Nationality
Russian (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1946-1971; printed 2003

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 bust-length figure of Ahmet Khan Sultan dominates the composition of this photograph. Sultan is presented here at a slight angle, appearing almost to lean over toward the left-hand edge of the image. The towering diagonal orientation and close-up view of the sitter lend a sense of grandeur to the so-called “Twice Hero of the Soviet Union”—an appellation accorded to those who have distinguished themselves in battle. Sultan looks off into the distance while he smokes a cigarette wearing his test pilot’s uniform in a way that exudes cool, masculine gravitas.  

Physical Description
Close-up view of a man in a test-pilot's suit smoking a cigarette.

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
airplanes
cigarette cases
men (male humans)
pilots
uniforms