The First Patriotic Election in the Beach Street Industrial School
Artist
Jacob August Riis
(American, 1849–1914)
Printerprinted by
Alexander Alland
(Ukrainian, active in Turkey and the United States, 1902–1989)
Dateabout 1888
Mediumgelatin silver print
Dimensionsimage: 20 x 24.8 cm (7 7/8 x 9 3/4 in.)
sheet: 20.6 x 25.3 cm (8 1/8 x 9 15/16 in.)
sheet: 20.6 x 25.3 cm (8 1/8 x 9 15/16 in.)
ClassificationsPhotographs
MarkingsOn verso: Alexander Alland Collection stamp in black ink: "Print #____ Photograph by Jacob A Riis Print from original Plate by Alexander Alland"
Credit LineStoddard Acquisition Fund
Terms
Object number2003.46
Label TextPhotographed within the New York immigrant community, the children of the Beach Street Industrial School reveal a diversity of ethnic backgrounds. Riis’ own experiences as an immigrant fueled his appetite for promoting social reform and childhood education. He firmly supported industrial schools, which taught immigrant children practical skills for trade but also imparted quintessential American values of patriotism and democracy. The children here stand in line to cast their ballots to vote on whether they should salute the American flag at the beginning of the school day. The three seated girls monitoring the polls were chosen to be Board of Elections inspectors.ProvenanceG.W. Einstein Co., New York, NYOn View
Not on view
