Skip to main content
Success for John is very important

Jim Goldberg

Success for John is very important

1981, printed 1984

Scroll

Jim Goldberg

Success for John is very important

1981, printed 1984

Physical Qualities Gelatin silver print, Sheet: 355 x 278 mm. (14 x 10 15/16 in.)
Portfolio/Series From the series "Rich and Poor"
Credit Line Gift of George H. Dalsheimer, Baltimore
Object Number 1998.202
Using his camera as a tool for social activism, Jim Goldberg has dedicated his career to documenting marginalized populations, including homeless teenagers, the elderly, and refugees. His inclusion of his subjects’ handwritten comments brought a novel element to the tradition of documentary photography. From 1977 to 1984, Goldberg photographed people from two groups in San Francisco: residents of a transient hotel and an art school’s trustees (and their family members). While the dramatic contrast in their environments illustrates the vast difference in the two groups’ financial means, the subjects’ expressions and highly personal confessions suggest a mutual feeling of loneliness. Goldberg’s 1975 book Rich and Poor compiled the resulting pictures. In the afterword to his book, Goldberg described himself as a “translator” and wrote of his hope that by sharing stories such as these, society could break down the myths that divide it.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1998; George H. Dalsheimer, Baltimore
Gamynne Guillotte and Oliver Shell, Joseph Education Center, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Imagining Home," April 27, 2016 - November 6, 2016.

Kristen Hileman, BMA. "Seeing now: Photography Since 1960," February 20-May 15, 2011.
Rich and Poor: Photographs by Jim Goldberg, New York: Random House, 1985, ill. section 2, 73rd unnumbered page

Inscribed: lower left verso in graphite: "105"; lower right verso in graphite: "Jim Goldberg 1981/84"; upper right verso in graphite: "JG.035.2"

Artist

Jim Goldberg

American, born 1953

Meet Jim Goldberg

Explore the Collection Further

Honoré Daumier
Preparing for the baccalaureate. - There are two ways in which you might pass your exams: the first way is to let someone else take your place; the second is to take them yourself. - I would like to take them myself. - Very good!... Do you know Greek? - No. - Latin? - None the more. - Excellent!... Do you know your Math? - Not at all. - What do you know then? - Nothing. - But you've 200 francs? - Of course! - Splendid... You'll be passed next Thursday. - You mean you're going to prepare me in eight days? - What do you think!!!!... It's true that I've taken on the responsibility for your success, but for teaching you... Oh no! Certainly not!!
1837
Honoré Daumier
Doctor Robert Macaire's clinic. - There you are gentlemen, the surgery I performed was a full success, while everybody considered it to be impossible. - But doctor, the patient is dead! - So what... ..she would have died sooner or later anyway.
1837
Charles Mason III
three the long way (every shot, every failure, still leading with love)
2022
Elizabeth Catlett and Robert Blackburn
My role has been important in organizing the unorganized
1947, printed 1989