Homer Page at the Nelson

Friday found me with just the right size window of time – too small to go home and work and too large to go early and wait until the boys were released from school – so I headed to the Nelson-Atkins to see the new photography exhibit. My father was a television news photographer and while he captured his subjects moving and not still, it has always increased my interest in photography. I’m intrigued by the way the photographer sees the intensity of the image but remains detached.

Homer Page was born in Oakland, California and studied art and social psychology (ok, really, think about that for a minute) at the University of California from 1936 – 1940. His neighbor and mentor, Dorothea Lange, encouraged him to take up photography in 1944. By ’47 he was featured in a major show at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Page received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1949 and he took the opportunity to document his interest in modern culture primarily by photographing people on the streets of New York City. He was easy and sly in his craft. Mostly his subjects seem unaware of his presence, but the tension of the ’40’s is clearly visible.


The fellowship allowed Page to focus on his photography for a year. While he was widely recognized for this work, he transitioned into a professional career as a magazine photographer. Few of his photographs were in private hands and his work was largely forgotten by the time of his death in 1985.


It’s engaging to see the romantic, formal styles of the 40’s off the movie screen and on the street.  Intriguing as well to study Page’s interest in popular culture and commerce on the era.  One photo is of a wall of tawdry, paperback novels.  Some thought the paperback book the death knell of serious literature.  If you look closely at the dozens and dozens of titles you will find a copy of Eric Hodgins’s Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.
The exhibit runs through June 7th. The Museum has planned several programs around the exhibit; check the site here.
“We are not sure of war or peace, prosperity or recession; not sure what balance to strike between our freedom and our security, either as a nation or as individuals.  The fundamental issues are clouded and almost certainly in transition.  This makes any attempt to record conditions extremely difficult.” – Homer Page
Images courtesy of the Nelson.
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12 thoughts on “Homer Page at the Nelson

  1. The little girl who is ten going on forty reminds me of so many at that age – she might be checking her cell phone today. Quite a mix of thoughts and reactions here, capturing eras in a few still frames… Be well, Hostess

  2. I love photographic art. Our native son is Gordon Parks. I’ll have to go to the Nelson to see this exhibit. Nothing better than a good exhibit at the Nelson and lunch at Rozelle Court!

  3. Oh, I am so jealous. Take a look at my post today as I posted an artistic photographer’s work. I think you would love it. Same sort of chaos from a distance.

  4. Remarkable work, Page’s photography is intriguing and captures that era perfectly. I will go the the exhibit soon.

  5. Blushing Hostess – I love that comparison. The write up by her image described her as a “slum angel.”

  6. What are those boys doing to that dress form???!!!It was very interesting to look at the hairstyles and clothing before Nike took over.

  7. These are so sharp and captivating. It feels like you’re stepping right into the scene. Thanks so much.

  8. Wonderful review Patricia. Rereading it I realize it’s loaded with timely references. And I can’t believe you spotted the Blandings book 🙂

  9. Courtney – I didn’t! Though I looked at the image a good long time, I was not not looking at individual titles. A gentleman from the museum noticed it and pointed it out to me.

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