Politics, Race, Celebrity: Photographs from the Esquire Collection | Spencer Museum of Art

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Exhibition

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Politics, Race, Celebrity: Photographs from the Esquire Collection

Luke Jordan, curator
Kate Meyer, curator

March 16, 2019–July 7, 2019

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In December 1980, 26 large metal storage cases containing copy and artwork from Esquire magazine arrived at the University of Kansas. Selections from this material are now part of the Spencer Museum's collection. Esquire, which billed itself as "the magazine for men," featured topical and thematic stories often accompanied with photographs of considerable political and cultural interest. This exhibition shares original photographs of trenchant, surprising, and memorable moments captured by Esquire photographers.

Works of art

“Body and Soul: Gloria Steinem and her partner, Dorothy Pitman Hughes, demonstrate the style that has thrilled audiences on the Women’s Liberation lecture circuit.”, Dan Wynn — Dan Wynn

“Body and Soul: Gloria Steinem and her partner, Dorothy Pitman Hughes, demonstrate the style that has thrilled audiences on the Women’s Liberation lecture circuit.”, 1971

"The Masculinization of the American Woman", Carl Fischer; George Lois — Carl Fischer; George Lois

"The Masculinization of the American Woman", circa 1965

untitled (Marguerite C. Oswald), Diane Arbus — Diane Arbus

untitled (Marguerite C. Oswald), 1964

"In New York, a policeman attempts to remove a Negro demonstrating against racial discrimination", United Press International; Robert L. Greger — United Press International; Robert L. Greger

"In New York, a policeman attempts to remove a Negro demonstrating against racial discrimination", circa 1963

untitled (unpublished crucifixion scene), Carl Fischer — Carl Fischer

untitled (unpublished crucifixion scene), 1968

"Edward A. Oquendo, co-initiator of B.A.N.D. (Blacks Against Negative Dying)", Carl Fischer — Carl Fischer

"Edward A. Oquendo, co-initiator of B.A.N.D. (Blacks Against Negative Dying)", 1967

Thomas Hart Benton, Kansas City, Missouri, Duane Michals — Duane Michals

Thomas Hart Benton, Kansas City, Missouri, circa 1967

Joe Louis, Art Kane — Art Kane

Joe Louis, circa 1962

James Baldwin, Robert Adelman — Robert Adelman

James Baldwin, circa 1964

"And so on into the night, James Baldwin, novelist, agitator, playwright (here with actor Otis Young of Charlie) and all-around public man.", Robert Adelman — Robert Adelman

"And so on into the night, James Baldwin, novelist, agitator, playwright (here with actor Otis Young of Charlie) and all-around public man.", circa 1964

“His attention is close, punctuated with pats, touches and quizzical looks, as here, with a schoolteacher who is one of his fans, in a Village eatery.”, Robert Adelman — Robert Adelman

“His attention is close, punctuated with pats, touches and quizzical looks, as here, with a schoolteacher who is one of his fans, in a Village eatery.”, circa 1964

James Baldwin, Robert Adelman — Robert Adelman

James Baldwin, circa 1964

“There may be no such thing as a perfect stranger after James Baldwin has passed through. In public places he seems open to the world at large, stranger or friend, and listens actively as he talks.", Robert Adelman — Robert Adelman

“There may be no such thing as a perfect stranger after James Baldwin has passed through. In public places he seems open to the world at large, stranger or friend, and listens actively as he talks.", circa 1964

Andy Warhol’s Mother: “Every year before Easter he go to confession. He was a little boy. Now he grown up. He go to confession more.”, Carl Fischer — Carl Fischer

Andy Warhol’s Mother: “Every year before Easter he go to confession. He was a little boy. Now he grown up. He go to confession more.”, 1966

Edward Ruscha, Mike Salisbury — Mike Salisbury

Edward Ruscha, circa 1969

Gloria Steinem, Dan Wynn — Dan Wynn

Gloria Steinem, 1971

untitled (Gloria Steinem), Dan Wynn — Dan Wynn

untitled (Gloria Steinem), 1971

untitled (Gloria Steinem and Dorothy Pitman Hughes), Dan Wynn — Dan Wynn

untitled (Gloria Steinem and Dorothy Pitman Hughes), 1971

untitled (Gloria Steinem and Dorothy Pitman Hughes), Dan Wynn — Dan Wynn

untitled (Gloria Steinem and Dorothy Pitman Hughes), 1971

untitled (Gloria Steinem and Dorothy Pitman Hughes), Dan Wynn — Dan Wynn

untitled (Gloria Steinem and Dorothy Pitman Hughes), 1971

"Nixon returns from vacation cruise in Coast Guard seaplane after receiving Robert Stripling's wire stating 'case clinched.'", Wide World Photos — Wide World Photos

"Nixon returns from vacation cruise in Coast Guard seaplane after receiving Robert Stripling's wire stating 'case clinched.'", 1948

William Wheeler and Richard Nixon, Wide World Photos — Wide World Photos

William Wheeler and Richard Nixon, 1948

"He unearthed microfilmed secrets of the state in a pumpkin on a Maryland farm; posed for pictures while examining the film under the traditional sleuth's magnifying glass", United Press International — United Press International

"He unearthed microfilmed secrets of the state in a pumpkin on a Maryland farm; posed for pictures while examining the film under the traditional sleuth's magnifying glass", 1948

"Nixon, Chambers (left) and Robert Stripling, investigator for H.U.A.C., confer over latest headlines, August, 1948.", Wide World Photos — Wide World Photos

"Nixon, Chambers (left) and Robert Stripling, investigator for H.U.A.C., confer over latest headlines, August, 1948.", 1948

"[Pat Nixon], modified to fit your style", Esquire magazine — Esquire magazine

"[Pat Nixon], modified to fit your style", 1969

"[Trish Nixon], modified to fit your style", Esquire magazine — Esquire magazine

"[Trish Nixon], modified to fit your style", 1969

"Now, let's try to imagine the President's daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. David Eisenhower, styled to fit the swinging world of 1969...", Esquire magazine — Esquire magazine

"Now, let's try to imagine the President's daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. David Eisenhower, styled to fit the swinging world of 1969...", 1969

"...a President for the leather boys.", Esquire magazine — Esquire magazine

"...a President for the leather boys.", 1969

"...finally rejoices as it's in the groove.", Ruth Orkin — Ruth Orkin

"...finally rejoices as it's in the groove.", 1947

"...attacks with brilliant violence...", Ruth Orkin — Ruth Orkin

"...attacks with brilliant violence...", 1947

"He has to keep his feet on the ground", Ruth Orkin — Ruth Orkin

"He has to keep his feet on the ground", 1947

"...builds orchestra into a tonal unit.", Ruth Orkin — Ruth Orkin

"...builds orchestra into a tonal unit.", 1947

"Bernstein courts a mood on the keys.", Ruth Orkin — Ruth Orkin

"Bernstein courts a mood on the keys.", 1947

"...but the spirit soars high and wide", Ruth Orkin — Ruth Orkin

"...but the spirit soars high and wide", 1947

"...or shushes it like an overexuberant child", Ruth Orkin — Ruth Orkin

"...or shushes it like an overexuberant child", 1947

"...while he energetically cues his men", Ruth Orkin — Ruth Orkin

"...while he energetically cues his men", 1947

"At times he hums with the orchestra,", Ruth Orkin — Ruth Orkin

"At times he hums with the orchestra,", 1947

"This vehement character is not inciting a mob–he is leading an orchestra.", Ruth Orkin — Ruth Orkin

"This vehement character is not inciting a mob–he is leading an orchestra.", 1947

"Mealymouth of the Year: Cassius Clay", Carl Fischer — Carl Fischer

"Mealymouth of the Year: Cassius Clay", 1966

"Jimi Hendrix. His guitar stands tall.", Jim Marshall — Jim Marshall

"Jimi Hendrix. His guitar stands tall.", 1967

Gloria & Dorothy, Daniel Bagan — Daniel Bagan

Gloria & Dorothy, 2013

Marguerite Oswald, Diane Arbus — Diane Arbus

Marguerite Oswald, 1964

Jimmy Hoffa, Neil Selkirk — Neil Selkirk

Jimmy Hoffa, circa 1975

"Mr. Michael Macdonald and preoccupied couple", Ron Galella — Ron Galella

"Mr. Michael Macdonald and preoccupied couple", 1967

"Guests at a New York psychedelia fest", Ron Galella — Ron Galella

"Guests at a New York psychedelia fest", 1967

James Baldwin, Robert Adelman — Robert Adelman

James Baldwin, 1964

James Baldwin, Robert Adelman — Robert Adelman

James Baldwin, 1964

James Baldwin, Robert Adelman — Robert Adelman

James Baldwin, 1964

Stokely Carmichael, Minoru Aoki — Minoru Aoki

Stokely Carmichael, 1967

"...If you want knowledge, you must take part in the practice of changing reality. If you want to know the taste of a pear, you must change the pear by eating it yourself.", William Helburn — William Helburn

"...If you want knowledge, you must take part in the practice of changing reality. If you want to know the taste of a pear, you must change the pear by eating it yourself.", 1967

"Janis Joplin of Big Brother & The Holding Company standing tall", Jim Marshall — Jim Marshall

"Janis Joplin of Big Brother & The Holding Company standing tall", 1967

"Why is This Man Laughing?", United Press International; Frank Cancellare — United Press International; Frank Cancellare

"Why is This Man Laughing?", 1960

"Richard Nixon Examines the Hiss film 'found' in a Pumpkin", United Press International — United Press International

"Richard Nixon Examines the Hiss film 'found' in a Pumpkin", 1948

Richard Nixon, United Press International — United Press International

Richard Nixon, 1948

"Jean Genet, William Burroughs, Terry Southern, John Sack, –Chicago!", Carl Fischer; George Lois — Carl Fischer; George Lois

"Jean Genet, William Burroughs, Terry Southern, John Sack, –Chicago!", 1968

"Yes, it's Batman and Robin, and yes, it's Andy Warhol and his latest girl-person (named Nico), and that, friends, is the Sixties whether you like it or not...", Frank Bez — Frank Bez

"Yes, it's Batman and Robin, and yes, it's Andy Warhol and his latest girl-person (named Nico), and that, friends, is the Sixties whether you like it or not...", circa 1966