Tomoko Uemura in Her Bath, Minamata, Japan
Artist
W. Eugene Smith
(American, 1913–1978)
Date1971
Mediumgelatin silver print
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineGift of Howard G. Davis, III A.K.A. David Davis
Object number2014.1214
Label TextSmith joined "Life" magazine in 1939, and was dedicated to storytelling throughout his career. In 1971 he moved to Minamata, Japan, to explore the lives of local families whose lives were changed by the genetic effects of pollution upon their children. Smith set the goal of distilling his story into one profound image, influenced by the Japanese aesthetic. He created the image of one helpless child, and the mother who suffers with her. When the photograph first appeared in "Life" on June 2, 1972 it was recognized as Smith’s masterpiece.On View
Not on view
