Together, 6 photographs. Silver prints, each measures 6 1/2x9 inches (16.5x22.8 cm.), overall size 20x35 inches (50.8x88.9 cm.), with Orkin's signature on recto and her signature, copyright, sequential numeric notations, date, "Marilyn," and "only sequence in The Family of Man" on verso.
The Family of Man, 41.
Ruth Orkin was often driven by a passion for travel, as many of her most renowned images were taken in exotic locales like Italy, France, and Israel. But, she was just as likely to snap photographs of daily life from her own front stoop on West 88th Street in New York City.
In this work containing 6 photographs, three youngsters are captured playing a timeless game of cards. The whimsical expressions on each of their faces show a youthful na´veté despite the fact that the young blonde in the middle--the group''s ringleader--is clearly in it to win. Orkin sequentially captures the children pondering their next moves while they sneak a glance at their opponents'' hands or engage in petty arguments. The final image shows the pure glee the blonde evinces when she finally wins the round.
