Join The Collection to save, track, and explore works like this.

W. Eugene Smith — Spanish Wake
W. Eugene Smith

Spanish Wake

A grieving family gathers around the body of a deceased loved one in this deeply intimate and somber gelatin silver print by W. Eugene Smith. The photograph captures the raw, unguarded emotion of mourning within a Spanish household, rendered in Smith's characteristic rich, dramatic tones of light and shadow. The image reflects his deeply humanistic approach to documentary photography, inviting the viewer into a private moment of collective grief with quiet reverence.

Medium
Gelatin silver print, printed later.

🔨 Auction Lot

Photographs

October 1, 2013

Start the Discussion

Request access to join the discussion

About this work

W. Eugene Smith, Spanish Wake

A grieving family gathers around the body of a deceased loved one in this deeply intimate and somber gelatin silver print by W. Eugene Smith. The photograph captures the raw, unguarded emotion of mourning within a Spanish household, rendered in Smith's characteristic rich, dramatic tones of light and shadow. The image reflects his deeply humanistic approach to documentary photography, inviting the viewer into a private moment of collective grief with quiet reverence.

Medium
Gelatin silver print, printed later.
Seen at
Phillips, New York, London, Hong Kong

Related themes

20th Century, Humanist Photography, Mid Century Modern, Funeral Scene, Documentary Photography, Black and White Photography, Human Condition, Gelatin Silver Print, American Photographer, Spanish Subject, Photojournalist, Spanish Culture, Master Photographer, Somber Mood, Photojournalism, Grief And Mourning, Black and White, Death And Mourning

More works by W. Eugene Smith