About the Object
This photograph is one in a series that Crawford took of the penitents from this spot; he captures glimpses of the procession as it passes by. The scene is at once intimate and overwhelming. Crawford thrusts the viewer into the midst of the festivities, shoulder to shoulder with the spectators and penitents; we can almost feel the crowd jostling around us. The row of penitents in black velvet hoods cuts diagonally through the composition, drawing our eye back and imparting a sense of depth to the photograph.
Additional Information
During his 1972 trip to Seville, Crawford photographed the penitents taking part in the Semana Santa processions. These images capture the emotion of the event and immerse the viewer in the scene. It was a moving experience that resonated intensely with Crawford and he revisited the theme in the weeks following his trip and through the ensuing years. Crawford reimagined it fresh on each occasion, emphasizing different aspects of the event, while retaining the excitement of the initial experience. This image relates to a group of torn signs imagery including the large-scale painting Torn Signs (VF2015.05.06). This work was included in the exhibition Ralston Crawford: Torn Signs at the Vilcek Foundation in 2019.
The Artist;
By descent to the Artist’s son, John C. Crawford, Brooklyn, NY;
Jan T. and Marica Vilcek Collection, New York, NY, 2015;
Corpus Christi, TX. The Art Museum of South Texas. Masterpieces of American Modernism from the Vilcek Collection of American Art. September 13, 2018-January 6, 2019.
New York, NY. Vilcek Foundation. Ralston Crawford: Torn Signs. May 13-November 13, 2019, pp. 60, 66, 117, ill. p. 65.
St. Peter, MN. The Hillstrom Museum of Art. Ralston Crawford: Torn Signs. September 12-November 6, 2022.