Explore John F. Kennedy, Burbank, California

K–12 Resource: Close Looking

Read about and take a closer look at a photograph of a famous American president

Title

John F. Kennedy, Burbank, California

Artist/Maker

Robert Flora (American, 1929 - 1986)

Date

September 9, 1960

Medium

Gelatin silver print

Dimensions

Image: 17 × 17.8 cm (6 11/16 × 7 in.) Sheet: 18 × 22.9 cm (7 1/16 × 9 in.)

Place

Burbank, California, United States

Object Type

Print Photograph

Credit Line

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, 2001.21.8

Time

  • Under 30 mins

Assignment

Read About This Photograph by Robert Flora

Most people have seen images of presidential candidates on the campaign trail surrounded by supporters and opponents. This photograph made by Robert Flora shows a promising young candidate less than two months after being confirmed as the Democratic Nominee for President in 1960.

After arriving on a chartered plane in Burbank, California, Kennedy is pressed from all sides by people holding signs of support, filming home movies, and trying to shake the senator’s hand as he is escorted to his car. Amidst the mob, Kennedy appears calm and relaxed—he smiles as he greets his constituents. This photograph shows Kennedy’s appeal, which helped him win the election and endeared him to many in his first term as president.

The label on the right side of the photograph was attached in order to send the image through the wire service. The label identified the image and provided a credit and caption for both the image and the distribution service that it came from.

Questions

Write or discuss your response.

  • Where are these people? How can you tell?
  • What are some of the people doing?
  • How is the central figure reacting? How can you tell?
  • How do images like this one shape our view of presidential candidates?

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Related Standards

Credits and Licensing

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