Portrait of Milwaukee

Exhibitions

Christo, Wrapped Studebaker, 2015.

Lithograph with screenprint and collage. 17 × 21 in. Courtesy of Landfall Press, Inc. © Christo Javacheff and Landfall Press, Inc.

Overview

  • September 6, 2019–March 1, 2020

  • Herzfeld Center for Photography and Media Arts

  • Free for Members

  • Included with admission

What made Milwaukee into the city it is today, and what does it mean to call oneself a Milwaukeean?

Portrait of Milwaukee reveals a deep connection between the city of Milwaukee and its residents. Photographs from the 1930s through the 2010s highlight some of the people, movements, businesses, and neighborhoods that have helped make Milwaukee what it is today. From small businesses to community churches, tannery workers to New Wave rockers, the subjects of the pictures in the exhibition show a midwestern city that is just as dynamic and diverse as the people who call it home.

Photographs in the exhibition are drawn from the Museum’s collection, as well as from local collections that are rarely on public view.

Additional artworks

Mark E. Jensen, Linus Mullarkey, Barber (East Side, Milwaukee, WI), ca. 1975.

Gift of Douglas C. James, Frederick P. Stratton, Jr., and Photography Council, M2001.46. Copy photo by John R. Glembin. © Mark E. Jensen

Larry Chatman, Couple Outside W & L, 1979/89, printed 2019.

Inkjet print. Courtesy of the artist. © Larry Chatman

Larry Chatman, Ricco and Cleopatra, 1979.

Gelatin silver print. Gift of the Sheldon M. Barnett Family, M1980.163. © Larry Chatman

Susan Armour, Jack and Esther Glusman and Jack’s cousin Sasha at Glusman Sanitary Kosher Meat Market, 4827 W. Center St., 1976.

Gelatin silver print. Courtesy of the Historic Photo Archives / Milwaukee Public Library. Copy photo by John R. Glembin. © Susan Armour

Lyle Oberwise, [“Girl in the Moon” baton twirler], 1954, printed 1996.

Chromogenic print. Purchase, Exhibition Fund, M1996.311. Copy photo by John R. Glembin. © Milwaukee County Historical Society

Support

Presenting sponsor

  • Aperture logo

Media sponsor

  • OnMilwaukee

Exhibitions in the Herzfeld Center for Photography and Media Arts sponsored by

  • Herzfeld Foundation
  • Madeleine and David Lubar

The Milwaukee Art Museum extends its sincere thanks to the Visionaries.

  • Donna and Donald Baumgartner

  • John and Murph Burke

  • Sheldon and Marianne Lubar

  • Joel and Caran Quadracci

  • Sue and Bud Selig

  • Jeff Yabuki and the Yabuki Family Foundation