The Pigeons of Red Square

Accession Number
2016/2.431

Title
The Pigeons of Red Square

Artist(s)
Dmitri Baltermants

Artist Nationality
Russian (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1939-1990, printed 2003

Medium & Support
gelatin silver print on paper

Dimensions
16 in x 20 in (40.64 cm x 50.8 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Thomas Wilson '79 and Jill Garling '80

Subject matter
In this photograph, dozens of pigeons take to the air just outside of the Kremlin walls in Moscow. The flying birds obscure a view of the crowd of people and the line of buildings that form a horizontal band across the lower register of the image. The pigeons fluctuate in and out of focus, some appearing in high detail and others as dark blurs. Some of the passersby in Red Square look over their shoulders with curious or amused expressions. It remains unclear whether these anonymous figures are watching the pigeons taking flight or if they are looking back at the photographer. 

Physical Description
A flock of pigeons take flight in a large public square.

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Primary Object Type
black and white print

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
cityscapes (representations)
pigeons (general term)
squares (open spaces)

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved