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Blush background with a gentlemen's shoe in the center.

Exhibition

The Real Thing: Unpackaging Product Photography

Through August 4

Now on view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 852

Free with Museum admission

Plan Your Visit All exhibitions

Overview Exhibition Objects

Four Roses Whiskey: Worth Reaching For, Anton Bruehl American, born Australia, Photomechanical print — Four Roses Whiskey: Worth Reaching For
Anton Bruehl (American (born Australia), Hawker 1900–1982 San Francisco, California)
1949

[Panama Hats, from a Sloan-Force Co. Catalogue], F. D. Hampson American, Gelatin silver print — [Panama Hats, from a Sloan-Force Co. Catalogue]
F. D. Hampson (American, 1871–1947)
ca. 1916

[Satinettes, Filled Confections and Ye Old Style Stick Candy, from a Brandle & Smith Co. Catalogue], Schadde Brothers American, Gelatin silver print — [Satinettes, Filled Confections and Ye Old Style Stick Candy, from a Brandle & Smith Co. Catalogue]
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1915

[High Grade Jelly Eggs, from a Brandle & Smith Co. Catalogue], Schadde Brothers American, Gelatin silver print — [High Grade Jelly Eggs, from a Brandle & Smith Co. Catalogue]
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1915

[Soap Packaging], Ralph Bartholomew Jr. American, Carbro print — [Soap Packaging]
Ralph Bartholomew Jr. (American, 1907–1985)
1936

Articles of Glass, William Henry Fox Talbot British, Salted paper print from paper negative — Articles of Glass
William Henry Fox Talbot (British, Dorset 1800–1877 Lacock)
before June 1844

[Plaster Casts of Bishops' Miters, South Porch, Chartres], Charles Nègre French, Salted paper print from paper negative — [Plaster Casts of Bishops' Miters, South Porch, Chartres]
Charles Nègre (French, 1820–1880)
ca. 1855

[Pitcher and two glasses, Venetian, 15th Century], Ludwig Belitski German, Salted paper print from glass negative — [Pitcher and two glasses, Venetian, 15th Century]
Ludwig Belitski (German, 1830–1902)
Baron Alexander von Minutoli (German, Berlin 1806–1887 Friedersdorf am Queis)
1854

The Silver Merchants, Unknown, Daguerreotype — The Silver Merchants
Unknown (American)
Case manufactured by Hiram Studley (American, active 1840s)
ca. 1850

[Man Demonstrating Patent Model for Sash Window], Unknown, Tintype with applied color — [Man Demonstrating Patent Model for Sash Window]
Unknown (American)
late 1850s–60s

[E. Adkins Gun Merchant], Unknown, Ambrotype — [E. Adkins Gun Merchant]
Unknown
ca. 1874

Gallery of Arts & Manufacturers of Philadelphia, Wenderoth, Taylor & Brown American, Albumen silver prints — Gallery of Arts & Manufacturers of Philadelphia
Wenderoth, Taylor & Brown (American, active Philadelphia, 1860s)
1868–1870

[Display of Hats and Accessories of 1868], Pine & Bell American, Albumen silver print from glass negative — [Display of Hats and Accessories of 1868]
Multiple artists/makers
1868

[Display of Dr. Robinson’s Balm of Tulips], A. H. Dinsmore American, Albumen silver print — [Display of Dr. Robinson’s Balm of Tulips]
A. H. Dinsmore (American, active 1880s)
ca. 1890

Fashions 1837-1887, William Charles Brown British, Woodburytypes — Fashions 1837-1887
William Charles Brown (British, active late 19th century)
1888

[Vermont Marble Tombstone Catalogue], Unknown, Albumen silver prints — [Vermont Marble Tombstone Catalogue]
Unknown (American)
1880s

[Rock Island Stove Company Catalogue], Unknown, Albumen silver print — [Rock Island Stove Company Catalogue]
Unknown (American)
A. M. Blakesley (American)
1878–83

[Display of Whitby Seascape Photographs], Frank M. Sutcliffe British, Albumen silver print — [Display of Whitby Seascape Photographs]
Frank M. Sutcliffe (British, 1853–1941)
ca. 1888

[Ledgers and Time Books from a National Blank Book Co. Catalogue], Stadler Photographing Company American, Gelatin silver print with applied color — [Ledgers and Time Books from a National Blank Book Co. Catalogue]
Stadler Photographing Company (American, active 1900s–1940s)
ca. 1913

RCA Speakers, Margaret Bourke-White American, Gelatin silver print — RCA Speakers
Margaret Bourke-White (American, Bronx, New York 1904–1971 Darien, Connecticut)
1933, printed ca. 1940

[KPM Ceramics], Grit Kallin-Fischer German, Gelatin silver print — [KPM Ceramics]
Grit Kallin-Fischer (German, 1897–1973)
1930

[Diring Radial Shaft Seals], Adolf Lazi German, Gelatin silver print — [Diring Radial Shaft Seals]
Adolf Lazi (German, 1884–1955)
1930s, printed 1939

[Gühring Drill Bits], Adolf Lazi German, Gelatin silver print — [Gühring Drill Bits]
Adolf Lazi (German, 1884–1955)
1935

[His Master's Voice Gramophones], John Havinden British, Gelatin silver print — [His Master's Voice Gramophones]
John Havinden (British, 1908–1987)
ca. 1932

"Advertising Photograph," in a Course Catalogue for The Clarence H. White School of Photography, Robert Waida Japanese, Halftone — "Advertising Photograph," in a Course Catalogue for The Clarence H. White School of Photography
Robert Waida (Japanese, 1889–after 1960)
1933

"Lester Kahn," in 'My Best Photograph and Why', Lester Kahn American — "Lester Kahn," in 'My Best Photograph and Why'
Multiple artists/makers
1937

[Blue Band Margarine], Piet Zwart Dutch, Gelatin silver print — [Blue Band Margarine]
Piet Zwart (Dutch, Zaandijk 1885–1977 Wassenaar)
1930

Zig-Zag Cigarette Papers, Aram Alban Armenian, Gelatin silver print — Zig-Zag Cigarette Papers
Aram Alban (Armenian (active France and Egypt), Istanbul 1883–1961 Cairo)
1929 or later

[Pocket Comb], H. Raymond Ball American, Gelatin silver print — [Pocket Comb]
H. Raymond Ball (American, 1903–1983)
1930s

[Osram Light Bulbs], August Sander German, Gelatin silver print — [Osram Light Bulbs]
August Sander (German, 1876–1964)
ca. 1930

[Osram Light Bulbs], Aurel Bauh Romanian, Gelatin silver print — [Osram Light Bulbs]
Aurel Bauh (Romanian, 1900–1964)
1930s

Toilet Paper, Sherril Schell American, Gelatin silver print — Toilet Paper
Sherril Schell (American, 1877–1964)
1930s

["Sugar Lumps" Pattern Design for Stehli Silks], Edward J. Steichen American, born Luxembourg, Gelatin silver print — ["Sugar Lumps" Pattern Design for Stehli Silks]
Edward J. Steichen (American (born Luxembourg), Bivange 1879–1973 West Redding, Connecticut)
1927

"Americana Print: Sugar Lumps" Textile, Edward J. Steichen American, born Luxembourg, Printed silk — "Americana Print: Sugar Lumps" Textile
Edward J. Steichen (American (born Luxembourg), Bivange 1879–1973 West Redding, Connecticut)
Stehli Silks Corporation
1927

Ide Collar, Paul Outerbridge Jr. American, Platinum print — Ide Collar
Paul Outerbridge Jr. (American, New York 1896–1959 Laguna Beach, California)
1922

[Violin], Stella F. Simon American, Platinum print — [Violin]
Stella F. Simon (American, 1878–1973)
ca. 1930

[AEG Turbine], Unknown, Cyanotype — [AEG Turbine]
Unknown (German)
ca. 1910

[Automotive Component], Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Co. American, Gelatin silver print — [Automotive Component]
Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Co. (American, 1912–1946)
May 21, 1928

[Automotive Component], Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Co. American, Gelatin silver print — [Automotive Component]
Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Co. (American, 1912–1946)
October 7, 1925

[Automotive Components], Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Co. American, Gelatin silver print — [Automotive Components]
Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Co. (American, 1912–1946)
February 22, 1927

[Automotive Components], Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Co. American, Gelatin silver print — [Automotive Components]
Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Co. (American, 1912–1946)
May 2, 1927

Nothing Rolls Like a Ball, Frederick M. Bush American, Gelatin silver print — Nothing Rolls Like a Ball
Frederick M. Bush (American, active 1920s–30s)
ca. 1925

[A.S. Beck "Executive" Shoe], Murray Duitz American, Gelatin silver print — [A.S. Beck "Executive" Shoe]
Murray Duitz (American, 1917–2010)
1957

[Tear Sheet with Advertisement for Beck Shoes], Murray Duitz American, Halftone — [Tear Sheet with Advertisement for Beck Shoes]
Murray Duitz (American, 1917–2010)
1957

Fay Sturtevant Lincoln American, Gelatin silver print — Fay Sturtevant Lincoln (American, 1894–1975)
ca. 1949

[Wig], James Van Der Zee American, Gelatin silver print — [Wig]
James Van Der Zee (American, Lenox, Massachusetts 1886–1983 Washington, D.C.)
1940s

[Wig], James Van Der Zee American, Gelatin silver print — [Wig]
James Van Der Zee (American, Lenox, Massachusetts 1886–1983 Washington, D.C.)
1940s

[Ruthsspiecher Tanks], César Domela Dutch, Gelatin silver print — [Ruthsspiecher Tanks]
César Domela (Dutch, 1900–1992)
1928

[Montage for Packard Super Eight], Unknown, Gelatin silver print — [Montage for Packard Super Eight]
Unknown (American)
ca. 1940

Designed for Comfort: Standard Cars, John Havinden British, Carbro print — Designed for Comfort: Standard Cars
John Havinden (British, 1908–1987)
late 1930s

NKF: N.V. Nederlandsche Kabelfabriek Delft, Piet Zwart Dutch, Letterpress — NKF: N.V. Nederlandsche Kabelfabriek Delft
Piet Zwart (Dutch, Zaandijk 1885–1977 Wassenaar)
1928

Imre Révész (American, born Hungary, 1895–1975)

Irma Biró (Hungarian, active 1920s–1950s)

ca. 1931

Fork, André Kertész American, born Hungary, Gelatin silver print — Fork
André Kertész (American (born Hungary), Budapest 1894–1985 New York)
1928

[Ipana Toothpaste], Grancel Fitz American, Gelatin silver print — [Ipana Toothpaste]
Grancel Fitz (American, 1894–1963)
ca. 1937

Nuit de Noël Perfume, H. Raymond Ball American, Gelatin silver print — Nuit de Noël Perfume
H. Raymond Ball (American, 1903–1983)
1926–1927

Pattern No. 342, Paul Outerbridge Jr. American, Gelatin silver print — Pattern No. 342
Paul Outerbridge Jr. (American, New York 1896–1959 Laguna Beach, California)
ca. 1931

Komol, ringl + pit German, Gelatin silver print — Komol
Multiple artists/makers
1931

Dents, ringl + pit German, Gelatin silver print — Dents
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1934

[Lipstick], Imre Révész American, born Hungary, Transparency — [Lipstick]
Imre Révész (American, born Hungary, 1895–1975)
Irma Biró (Hungarian, active 1920s–1950s)
1940s

Theatre Accident, New York, Irving Penn American, Dye transfer print — Theatre Accident, New York
Irving Penn (American, Plainfield, New Jersey 1917–2009 New York)
1947, printed 1984

[Conference Calling, Bell Telephone Systems], Grancel Fitz American, Gelatin silver print — [Conference Calling, Bell Telephone Systems]
Grancel Fitz (American, 1894–1963)
1934

The Coffee Drinkers, Paul Outerbridge Jr. American, Carbro print — The Coffee Drinkers
Paul Outerbridge Jr. (American, New York 1896–1959 Laguna Beach, California)
1940

[Oldsmobile F-35 with Models], James N. Doolittle American, Carbro print — [Oldsmobile F-35 with Models]
James N. Doolittle (American, 1890–1950)
1935

Plan Your Visit

Dates

Through August 4

The Met Fifth Avenue

Free with Museum admission

Plan Your Visit All exhibitions

Blush background with a gentlemen's shoe in the center.