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Nurse Midwife. Berkeley County, South Carolina, 1951. W. Eugene Smith

$2,500

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Born in 1918 in Wichita, Kansas, W. Eugene Smith was a pioneer of photojournalism and master of the photographic essay. Beginning with his powerful shots of the Pacific invasion during World War II, Smith forged an impressive career at LIFE magazine, which included classic photo essays like “Country Doctor,” “Nurse Midwife,” and “Spanish Village.” After leaving LIFE, Smith pursued his acclaimed freelance work on projects such as “Pittsburgh,” the “Jazz Loft,” and ultimately “Minamata,” the story of which is currently being released as a major feature film. These are the first modern prints ever offered for sale by the Smith Estate.

Description

In 1951, during the height of segregation, LIFE magazine staff photographer W. Eugene Smith documented the heroic efforts of a black nurse midwife, Maude Callen, who served an impoverished community of 10,000 people in rural South Carolina. The story appeared in the December 3, 1951, issue of LIFE. The caption read: “SIMPLE KINDNESS overwhelms an old man,” who had been paralyzed for 20 years. The story made a plea for donations to build Maude a new clinic. Nearly $20,000 — an enormous sum for the time — poured in from around the globe. The Maude Callen Clinic opened its doors in May 1953. Smith wrote about Maude later: “In the most special way, she is probably the greatest person I have been privileged to know…. She is, to me, near the pure ideal of what a life of affirmative contribution can be…. If this sounds like a love letter, it is.”

– Digital Silver Gelatin print
– Open edition
– Estate stamped on the verso

This print is for personal usage only, intended for display in the home or other private spaces. For all other uses, such as display in public spaces or institutions, publishing the image online or in print, or any other form of usage, permission must be granted by Magnum Photos. Please contact the Magnum Shop with any questions. Prices are quoted exclusive of tax.

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