Ray K. Metzker photographs, 1957-1982

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Summary

Creator:
Metzker, Ray K.
Abstract:
Ray K. Metzker (1931-2014) was an American photographer based in Philadelphia. The twenty black-and-white photographs in the collection were taken by Metzker from 1957 to 1982. The subjects are chiefly city streets, beaches, and landscapes; they all feature the strong, sometimes abstract, light and dark compositions that Metzker was known for. Locations are unidentified, but may include the New Jersey Shore; Philadelphia; Chicago; and Germany and other locations in Europe. The gelatin silver prints come in two sizes: 8x10 (17) and 11x14 (3) inches. All of the prints are marked on the versos with the photographer's archive stamp, and include various legacy identifiers, edition numbers, and printing dates. Acquired as part of the Archive of Documentary Arts at Duke University.
Extent:
1.0 Linear Foot (2 boxes)
Language:
English
Collection ID:
RL.11872

Background

Scope and content:

The collection comprises twenty black-and-white silver gelatin prints of images taken from 1957 to 1982 by American photographer Ray K. Metzker. The subjects chiefly feature city streets, beaches, and landscapes; they all feature the strong, sometimes abstract, light and dark compositions that Metzker was known for. Locations are unidentified, but may include the New Jersey Shore; Philadelphia; Chicago; and Germany and other locations in Europe.

The prints come in two sizes: 8x10 (17) and 11x14 (3) inches, with a few minor variations. All of the prints are marked on the versos with the photographer's archive stamp, and include legacy identifiers, edition numbers, and printing dates.

The donor's inventory as well as the photographer's published work and exhibits provided the source for titles and original negative dates.

Biographical / historical:

Ray K. Metzker was born in 1931 and lived most of his adult life in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended graduate school at the Institute of Design in Chicago, where he studied with Harry Callahan and Aaron Siskin. He was known for his bold black-and-white photography, and for his modernist style, particularly in his use of dark and light to create photographic expression. He died in 2014 in Philadelphia.

Acquisition information:
The Ray K. Metzker photographs were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2020.
Processing information:

Arranged and described by Paula Jeannet, January 2021.

Accession(s) described in this collection guide: 2021-0001.

Arrangement:

The prints in this collection are ordered by date, in the sequence assigned by the donor.

Physical facet:
20 photographic prints
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. Images may only be used for educational, non-commercial purposes; any other use requires permission. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], Ray K. Metzker photographs, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1xm98