When Old and New World Met in a Camera Flash

NY Times ^ | August 6, 2005 | KATHRYN SHATTUCK

[neverdem]

If Peter Mesenhöller expected to find the misery of the tired, the poor, the wretched emanating from a few photographs displayed in the Ellis Island Immigration Museum the day he first visited in 1996, he was in for a surprise. "I immediately got stunned by the dignity, the pride, the self-confidence," Mr. Mesenhöller, a cultural anthropologist specializing in early still photography and immigration studies, said by phone from his home in Cologne, Germany. "It was totally different from the usual image we have of the huddled masses."

Mr. Mesenhöller had alighted on the photography of Augustus Frederick Sherman, a registry clerk in Ellis Island's immigration division in the early 20th century. In the hours when he wasn't determining the fate of some of the thousands of immigrants disembarking daily in New York Harbor from foreign vessels, he was coaxing the hopeful to open their trunks, don their finest attire and level their gaze at his camera.

Some 75 photographs of these immigrants are on view at the Ellis Island museum in "Augustus Frederick Sherman: Ellis Island Portraits 1905-1920." Organized by Mr. Mesenhöller and Diana Edkins, director of exhibitions and limited-edition prints for the Aperture Foundation, a nonprofit photography organization, the show coincides with the group's publication of a book of the same title with 40 more images. The show continues through Sept. 6 before traveling to 16 sites in the United States and abroad.

Understanding Mr. Mesenhöller's fascination - obsession, really - requires no great stretch of the imagination. As they hover disconcertingly between art and artifact, Sherman's portraits are powerful in their directness yet almost antiseptic in their disaffection.

Dressed gallantly in their native costumes, solemn families and individuals announce themselves to their new world with no apologies. A Romanian shepherd sits with hand on hip, his decoratively embroidered...

[neverdem]

Courtesy of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and the Aperture Foundation
A photograph from "Augustus F. Sherman: Ellis Island Portraits 1905-1920."

Courtesy of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and the Aperture Foundation
Augustus Frederick Sherman, an Ellis Island registry clerk and a photographer, circa 1905.

Courtesy of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and the Aperture Foundation
Immigrants who posed for Sherman's camera included a Ruthenian, from Ukraine.

Courtesy of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and the Aperture Foundation
A woman from Guadeloupe.

Courtesy of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and the Aperture Foundation
A photograph from "Augustus F. Sherman: Ellis Island Portraits 1905-1920."

Courtesy of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and the Aperture Foundation
A Romanian piper.

Courtesy of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and the Aperture Foundation
A Hungarian child.

Courtesy of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and the Aperture Foundation
A woman from The Netherlands.

Courtesy of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and the Aperture Foundation
A photograph from "Augustus F. Sherman: Ellis Island Portraits 1905-1920."

Courtesy of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and the Aperture Foundation
Sherman photographed newcomers like the Glerum family, including young Frank, sixth from left, whose son viewed the show at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.

[konaice]

Haunting photo....

Kind of reminds me of the "Afgan Girl"

They could almost be sisters.

[martin_fierro]

My brother-in-law recently showed me a photo of his grandmother, taken when she had just arrived to NYC from Italy back in the early 20th century.

One thing that came across in the photo was the woman's pride and self-confidence. She was all bedecked in her finest clothing.

Turns out that she lived to over 100.

The other thing that I took from the photo was the downright uncanny facial resemblance of her to my bro-in-law.

[martin_fierro]

Bad Marty! BAAAAD!

[neverdem]

Some of you might want to visit Ellis Island before the exhibit departs.

[neverdem]

Some 75 photographs of these immigrants are on view at the Ellis Island museum in "Augustus Frederick Sherman: Ellis Island Portraits 1905-1920." Organized by Mr. Mesenhöller and Diana Edkins, director of exhibitions and limited-edition prints for the Aperture Foundation, a nonprofit photography organization, the show coincides with the group's publication of a book of the same title with 40 more images. The show continues through Sept. 6 before traveling to 16 sites in the United States and abroad.

FReepmail me if you want on or off my New York ping list. Maybe it's just me, but I become fascinated by old stuff like this, besides the relevance to the current immigration argument. I would appreciate some feedback about whether I should bother my other two main ping lists for this post.

[Jet Jaguar]

Those eyes are piercing. (both photos)

[FreedomCalls]

Here's what she looks like today.

[GoLightly]

The pictures are wonderful! All of my people arrived before the US had any immigration laws, which was also before Ellis Island was opened. I'm pretty sure the family rescued from a sinking ship in the middle of the Atlantic looked more relieved than dignified when they arrived.

Like you, I'm fascinated by old stuff like this.

[sheik yerbouty]

"Avert thine eyes Heavenward, Faustus!"

[Gunrunner2]

The after pic sure is revealing of how life in a third-world islamic cess-pit can ruin a life.

[USMCVet]

Those are remarkable photos! Wonder if they are planning to come out with a collection...

[ovrtaxt]

"I immediately got stunned by the dignity, the pride, the self-confidence," Mr. Mesenhöller, a cultural anthropologist specializing in early still photography and immigration studies, said by phone from his home in Cologne, Germany. "It was totally different from the usual image we have of the huddled masses."

Shocking, isn't it, the dignity, the pride, the self confidence when you ENTER THE COUNTRY LEGALLY!!

[Calpernia]

Search Ellis Island!

Thanks for the ping neverdem!

[Calpernia]

You like history, come see this thread.

[bvw]

Amazing. You don't need a great camera to take great photos.

Looks like the grain and quality of the emulsion did vary, though.

[BibChr]

I had a similar connection. What sharp photos!

Dan

[Sam Cree]

read later.

Huddled masses is how the Left think of their serfs, and what they want for all of us.

The photos look inspiring.

[pepperdog]

They sure dressed nicely didn't they? Not like today when it's difficult to determine if people are headed for church or the beach.