Family Saying Grace at the Table, United States
Ken Heyman, American, 1930 - 2019
not dated
Gelatin silver print
Sheet: 5 9/16 × 9 11/16 in. (14.2 × 24.6 cm)
Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth: Gift of Marina and Andrew E. Lewin, Class of 1981
2016.49.4
Geography
Place Made: United States, North America
Period
20th century
Object Name
Photograph
Research Area
Photograph
On view
Inscriptions
Signed and inscribed, on reverse, lower right, in black ink: Ken Heyman / VINTAGE / USA; inscribed, on reverse, upper right, in graphite: USA; inscribed, on reverse, below and left of center, upside down, in graphite: 4082 / PB55-22 #15; inscribed, on reverse, bottom right edge, in graphite: 3500.- KH-2513.2; inscribed, on reverse, lower right, top to bottom, in graphite: 25.m.fr / Eating Stamped, on reverse, center, in black ink [in rectangle]: PLEASE CREDIT: / KEN HEYMAN / SIXTY-FOUR EAST FIFTY-FIFTH / NEW YORK, N.Y. 10022 HA1-4512
Label
A family of eleven bows their heads in prayer before sharing a meal as two of the boys on the left side of the image exchange a sneaky glance. The expansive table dominates the tiny kitchen space, and its clean floral tablecloth contrasts with the scuffed wood-paneled walls. With their children’s plates full of perfectly portioned food, a slice of white bread placed neatly in front of each, these parents enforce an intentional moment of quiet. What does the stillness and silence of this scene suggest about this family’s relationships beyond the dinner table?
From the 2026 exhibition A Space for Dialogue 129, A Seat at the Table, curated by Emeline Moss ‘26, Erbe Intern
Course History
Art History 38.04, Food and Art: Global History, Nicola Camerlenghi, Spring 2023
Art History 38.04, Food & Art: A Global History, Nicola Camerlenghi, Fall 2024
Exhibition History
A Space for Dialogue 129, A Seat at the Table, Emeline Moss ‘26, Erbe Intern, Alvin P. Gutman Gallery, Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, March 7 - May 3, 2026.
Provenance
Marina and Andrew E. Lewin, New York, New York; given to present collection, 2016.
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