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August 17, 1996, from the series Mother Daughter Posing as Ourselves

  • Elaine O'Neil, August 17, 1996, from the series Mother Daughter Posing as Ourselves, 1996, printed 2005, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2010.47.8, © 2009, Elaine O'Neil

Over a period of five years Elaine O’Neil and her daughter Julia Hess met each day in the living room to pose for a portrait. The images that resulted from their project—over 1,500 exposures in all—document Julia’s transition from a child of ten under her mother’s protective arm to an independent young woman. They also uncover the complexity of feelings shared by parents and children, laying bare the emotions—affection, anger, frustration, indifference, exasperation, amusement—Julia and her mother felt as they paused for a brief moment while waiting for the shutter to click.

Close to Home: Photographers and their Families, 2011
Title
August 17, 1996, from the series Mother Daughter Posing as Ourselves
Artist
Elaine O'Neil
Date
1996, printed 2005
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
image: 15 1⁄4 x 18 1⁄2 in. (38.8 x 47.0 cm) sheet: 15 7⁄8 x 19 3⁄4 in. (40.3 x 50.2 cm)
Copyright
© 2009, Elaine O'Neil
Credit Line

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment

Mediums Description
gelatin silver print
Classifications
Photography
Photoprint
Keywords
  • Figure group – female and child
  • Portrait female – Hess, Julia
  • Occupation – art – photographer
Object Number
2010.47.8
Palette
Linked Open Data URI

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