Accession Number2016/2.431
TitleThe Pigeons of Red Square
Artist(s)Dmitri BaltermantsArtist NationalityRussian (culture or style)Object Creation Datecirca 1939-1990, printed 2003Medium & Supportgelatin silver print on paperDimensions 16 in x 20 in (40.64 cm x 50.8 cm)
Credit LineGift of Thomas Wilson '79 and Jill Garling '80Subject matterIn 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 DescriptionA flock of pigeons take flight in a large public square.
Primary Object Classification Photograph Primary Object Typeblack and white printCollection AreaPhotographyRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
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Keywords
cityscapes (representations)
pigeons (general term)
squares (open spaces)