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MYSTERY SOLVED: The Mystery of Ad Reinhardt, Barnett Newman, William Congdon, Betty Parsons, and others, circa 1960
The Mystery:
What: This group of artists and artistic figures gathers for a formal occasion.
Where: unknown (the walls may help identify this)
When: circa 1960
Who: (L to R) back row: unidentified man; middle row: Ad Reinhardt, Barnett Newman, Annalee Newman, William Congdon, unidentified woman, Betty Parsons, unidentified man; front row: unidentified man, unidentified woman
Help us solve the mystery:
1. Who is the man in the back looking off to the side?
2. Who are the woman (left) and the man (right) on each side of Betty Parsons?
3. Who are the man and the woman sitting in the front? Their seated position indicates they may have been guests of honor at this gathering. Is the woman Mary Lou Williams?
4. Where was this photo taken? Could it be at a jazz club, perhaps the Five Spot on St. Mark’s Place?
The Solution:
Ad Reinhardt, Barnett Newman, Annalee Newman, William Congdon, Rita Reinhardt, Betty Parsons, Gianni Silvestri, Thomas Sills, and Mary Lou Williams at a Harlem nightclub, circa 1953.
What: Likely enjoying music at a night club
Where: Nightclub in Harlem, New York
When: 1953
Who (left to right): Back row: Unidentified man, Ad Reinhardt, Barnett Newman, Annalee Newman, William Cogdon, Rita Reinhardt, Betty Parsons, Gianni Silvestri. Front row: Thomas Sills and Mary Lou Williams
How to Get In Touch:
If you have leads, clues, or ideas of who the unknown individuals may be , email us at AAAMysteries@si.edu. Your email should include:
- Your first and last name
- Your organization, if applicable
- Your preferred mode of contact, should we need to reach you (e.g. email address or phone number)
- The photo name (for which you are identifying the unknown individual)
- The name of the individual you believe is the unidentifiable figure in the photo or any information you may have that could help us identify the individual
- Your level of certainty in the information you provided
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