Portrait of Gordon Parks

The 88 Most Famous Gordon Parks Paintings, Each One of a Kind

Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 88 works by Gordon Parks in our catalogue

In short

Muhammad Ali in Training, Miami Beach, Florida (1966) is the Gordon Parks painting that draws the most eyes; the original belongs to the The Gordon Parks Foundation, Pleasantville. After it, the eye goes to Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) and Contact sheet 111 R3, (1952). Among the 88 works of Gordon Parks in our catalog, these 88 are the most famous, each a unique original presented with its year, its museum and the reason it endures.

1912 – 2006, Fort Scott Documentary photography Most works: The Gordon Parks Foundation

Top 10 paintings by Gordon Parks, through the gallery's eye

1
Muhammad Ali in Training, Miami Beach, Florida (1966) by Gordon Parks

Muhammad Ali in Training, Miami Beach, Florida

1966 · Black and White Photography · The Gordon Parks Foundation, Pleasantville

In the sweltering summer of 1966, amidst the rhythmic preparations of Miami Beach, Gordon Parks captured more than just an athlete in training; he immortalized a psychological landscape. His photograph, Muhammad Ali in Training, serves as a profound window into a pivotal moment in American history. At this juncture, Ali was on the precipice of his monumental victory over Sonny Liston, a triumph that would not only crown him heavyweight…

2
Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon Parks

Untitled, Harlem, New York

1952 · Black and White Photography · The Gordon Parks Foundation, Pleasantville

In the heart of 1952, amidst the vibrant yet stratified landscape of New York City, Gordon Parks captured a moment that transcends the boundaries of mere documentation to become a profound visual poem. His photograph, "Untitled, Harlem, New York," serves as an enduring testament to the power of the lens to illuminate the quiet strength found within human dignity. Created during his groundbreaking tenure with Life magazine, this work was…

3
Contact sheet 111 R3, (1952) by Gordon Parks

Contact sheet 111 R3,

1952 · Black and White Photography · The Gordon Parks Foundation, Pleasantville

To gaze upon this contact sheet of Gordon Parks’ work is not merely to view a collection of photographs; it is to step directly into the crucible of observation itself. The image presents a mesmerizing grid, a tangible record of moments captured in time—a visual diary assembled from black and white film. Here, the stark poetry of monochrome dominates, allowing light and shadow to become the primary sculptors of form.…

4
Red and Friends Hide in Shadows while they Scan Street for Rival Gangs, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon Parks

Red and Friends Hide in Shadows while they Scan Street for Rival Gangs, Harlem, New York

1948 · Photography · The Gordon Parks Foundation, Pleasantville

Gordon Parks' "Red and Friends Hide in Shadows while they Scan Street for Rival Gangs, Harlem, New York" isn’t merely a photograph; it’s a meticulously crafted tableau of urban tension, a frozen moment brimming with unspoken narratives. Captured in 1948 amidst the burgeoning Civil Rights movement, this image transports us to the heart of Harlem, a vibrant yet fraught neighborhood grappling with poverty, gang violence, and systemic inequality. The scene…

5
Untitled, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon Parks

Untitled, Harlem, New York

1948 · Gelatin Silver Print · The Gordon Parks Foundation, Pleasantville

Gordon Parks' "Untitled, Harlem, New York," captured in 1948, isn’t merely a photograph; it’s a distilled essence of urban tension and the quiet desperation simmering beneath the surface of mid-20th century America. This gelatin silver print, measuring a modest 11 x 11 cm, punches far beyond its size, delivering a visceral experience that speaks volumes about race, poverty, and the precariousness of daily life in Harlem. The image immediately commands…

6
Contact Sheet B1, (1948) by Gordon Parks

Contact Sheet B1,

1948 · Black and White Photography · The Gordon Parks Foundation, Pleasantville

In the quiet, grayscale expanse of Gordon Parks’ Contact Sheet B1, one finds much more than a mere collection of photographic frames; one discovers a profound, unvarnished window into the heart of mid-century America. Created in 1948, this contact sheet serves as a raw, cinematic precursor to his legendary work for Life magazine, capturing the pulse of Harlem during a period of intense social transformation. As we gaze upon this…

7
In-Home Barbershop, Shady Grove, Alabama (1956) by Gordon Parks

In-Home Barbershop, Shady Grove, Alabama

1956 · Black and White Photography · The Gordon Parks Foundation, Pleasantville

A Quiet Resilience in Black and White The photograph “In-Home Barbershop, Shady Grove, Alabama,” captured by the legendary Gordon Parks in 1956, serves as much more than a mere visual record of a bygone era; it is a profound window into the soul of the American South during the height of the Jim Crow period. Through his lens, Parks invites us into a private, domestic sanctuary where the boundaries between…

8
Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon Parks

Untitled, Harlem, New York

1952 · Photography · The Gordon Parks Foundation, Pleasantville

Gordon Parks' "Untitled, Harlem, New York," captured in 1952, isn’t merely a photograph; it’s a distilled essence of urban life—a poignant tableau of resilience and quiet observation within the heart of Harlem. This black and white image, now housed at The Art Institute of Chicago, transcends its simple subject matter to become a powerful statement on the human condition, echoing themes of family, dignity, and the unspoken narratives woven into…

9
Contact sheet 30_4, (1952) by Gordon Parks

Contact sheet 30_4,

1952 · Black and White Photography · The Gordon Parks Foundation, Pleasantville

Gordon Parks’ “Contact Sheet 30_4” is far more than a mere collection of photographic frames; it is a profound, rhythmic window into the mid-century American experience. Captured in 1952, this work serves as a frozen moment in time, imbued with both a gritty, unvarnished realism and a subtle, haunting beauty. As one gazes upon this contact sheet, they are not just looking at images, but stepping into a densely populated…

Gordon Parks's famous paintings, numbers 11 to 88

11Untitled, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 12The Fontenelles at the Poverty Board, Harlem, New York (1967) by Gordon ParksThe Fontenelles at the Poverty Board, Harlem, New York1967 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 13Bessie and Little Richard the Morning After She Scalded Her Husband, Harlem, New York (1967) by Gordon ParksBessie and Little Richard the Morning After She Scalded Her Husband, Harlem, New York1967 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 14The Invisible Man, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksThe Invisible Man, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 15Soapbox Orator, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksSoapbox Orator, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 16Bessie Fontenelle and Richard Climb the Stairs, Harlem, New York (1967) by Gordon ParksBessie Fontenelle and Richard Climb the Stairs, Harlem, New York1967 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 17Willie Causey and Family, Shady Grove, Alabama (1956) by Gordon ParksWillie Causey and Family, Shady Grove, Alabama1956 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 18Contact sheet R3, (1952) by Gordon ParksContact sheet R3,1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 19Contact sheet P5, (1952) by Gordon ParksContact sheet P5,1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 20Portrait of Paul Robeson (1942) by Gordon ParksPortrait of Paul Robeson1942 · Library of Congress 21Outside Looking In, Mobile, Alabama by Gordon ParksOutside Looking In, Mobile, AlabamaHigh Museum of Art 22Willie Causey, Jr., with Gun During Violence in Alabama, Shady Grove, Alabama (1956) by Gordon ParksWillie Causey, Jr., with Gun During Violence in Alabama, Shady Grove, Alabama1956 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 23Untitled, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 24Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 25Indian Herb Store, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksIndian Herb Store, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 26Portrait of Mrs. Lucy Johnson (1942) by Gordon ParksPortrait of Mrs. Lucy Johnson1942 · SCAD Museum of Art 27Untitled, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 28Mrs. Ella Watson (1942) by Gordon ParksMrs. Ella Watson1942 · Library of Congress 29Untitled, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 30Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 31Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 32Family Crowds Around Open Oven for Warmth, Harlem, New York (1967) by Gordon ParksFamily Crowds Around Open Oven for Warmth, Harlem, New York1967 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 33Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 34Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 35Contact Sheet 655_R-I, (1948) by Gordon ParksContact Sheet 655_R-I,1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 36Untitled, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 37Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 38Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 39Department Store, Mobile, Alabama by Gordon ParksDepartment Store, Mobile, AlabamaHigh Museum of Art 40Harlem Neighborhood, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksHarlem Neighborhood, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 41Emerging Man (1952) by Gordon ParksEmerging Man1952 · Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art 42Muhammad Ali Fights Henry Cooper in Highbury, London, England (1966) by Gordon ParksMuhammad Ali Fights Henry Cooper in Highbury, London, England1966 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 43Fontenelle Children Outside Their Harlem Tenement, Harlem, New York (1967) by Gordon ParksFontenelle Children Outside Their Harlem Tenement, Harlem, New York1967 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 44Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 45Contact Sheet R-10-1, (1948) by Gordon ParksContact Sheet R-10-1,1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 46Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 47Untitled, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 48Gang Member Graffitis a Wall, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon ParksGang Member Graffitis a Wall, Harlem, New York1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 49Untitled, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 50Untitled, Mobile, Alabama (1956) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Mobile, Alabama1956 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 51Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 52Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 53Window/Mysticism, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksWindow/Mysticism, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 54Ellen Crying, Harlem, New York (1967) by Gordon ParksEllen Crying, Harlem, New York1967 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 55Red Jackson, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon ParksRed Jackson, Harlem, New York1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 56Untitled, Shady Grove, Alabama (1956) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Shady Grove, Alabama1956 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 57Store Front, Mobile, Alabama (1956) by Gordon ParksStore Front, Mobile, Alabama1956 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 58Night Rumble, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon ParksNight Rumble, Harlem, New York1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 59Red Jackson with Child, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon ParksRed Jackson with Child, Harlem, New York1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 60Muhammad Ali Interviewed by Reporters, London, England (1966) by Gordon ParksMuhammad Ali Interviewed by Reporters, London, England1966 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 61Untitled, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 62Red Jackson by Gordon ParksRed JacksonGeorge Eastman Museum 63Untitled, Shady Grove, Alabama (1956) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Shady Grove, Alabama1956 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 64Untitled, Harlem, New York (1967) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1967 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 65Untitled, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 66Invisible Man Retreat, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksInvisible Man Retreat, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 67Mr. and Mrs. Albert Thornton, Mobile, Alabama (1956) by Gordon ParksMr. and Mrs. Albert Thornton, Mobile, Alabama1956 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 68Ondria Tanner and Her Grandmother Window-shopping, Mobile, Alabama (1956) by Gordon ParksOndria Tanner and Her Grandmother Window-shopping, Mobile, Alabama1956 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 69Contact sheet R1, (1952) by Gordon ParksContact sheet R1,1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 70Untitled, Harlem, New York (1948) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1948 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 71Contact sheet 665 C1, (1952) by Gordon ParksContact sheet 665 C1,1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 72Charles White (1943) by Gordon ParksCharles White1943 · The Kinsey African American Art - History Collection 73Negro Women In Her Bedroom (1942) by Gordon ParksNegro Women In Her Bedroom1942 · Library of Congress 74Untitled, Miami, Florida (1966) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Miami, Florida1966 · New Orleans Museum of Art 75Photographers from the Negro press (1942) by Gordon ParksPhotographers from the Negro press1942 · Library of Congress 76Children with Doll, Washington, D.C (1942) by Gordon ParksChildren with Doll, Washington, D.C1942 77Harlem Newsboy, Harlem, New York (1943) by Gordon ParksHarlem Newsboy, Harlem, New York1943 78Harlem Gang Wars (1948) by Gordon ParksHarlem Gang Wars1948 79Arrested, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Chicago (1953) by Gordon ParksArrested, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Chicago1953 80Muslim Rally (1963) by Gordon ParksMuslim Rally1963 81Black Muslim Rally, Harlem, New York (1963) by Gordon ParksBlack Muslim Rally, Harlem, New York1963 82Malcolm X Gives Speech at Rally, Harlem, New York (1963) by Gordon ParksMalcolm X Gives Speech at Rally, Harlem, New York1963 · Art Gallery of New South Wales 83Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Harlem, New York1952 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 84African American and White Soldiers aboard A Ship (1941) by Gordon ParksAfrican American and White Soldiers aboard A Ship1941 · Library of Congress 85Untitled, Alabama (1956) by Gordon ParksUntitled, Alabama1956 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 86Fulton Fish Market Hooker, New York (1943) by Gordon ParksFulton Fish Market Hooker, New York1943 87Airline Terminal, Atlanta, Georgia (1956) by Gordon ParksAirline Terminal, Atlanta, Georgia1956 · The Gordon Parks Foundation 88American Gothic, Washington, D.C. (1942) by Gordon ParksAmerican Gothic, Washington, D.C.1942

Gordon Parks's famous paintings, period by period

The subjects that held Gordon Parks's eye

The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.

The museums that keep Gordon Parks's originals

The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Gordon Parks Paintings from this list
The Gordon Parks Foundation, PleasantvilleThe Gordon Parks Foundation Pleasantville 67 Muhammad Ali in Training, Miami Beach, Florida, Untitled, Harlem, New York, Contact sheet 111 R3,
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.Library of Congress Washington, D.C. 5 Portrait of Paul Robeson, Mrs. Ella Watson, Negro Women In Her Bedroom
High Museum of Art, AtlantaHigh Museum of Art Atlanta 2 Outside Looking In, Mobile, Alabama, Department Store, Mobile, Alabama
SCAD Museum of Art, SavannahSCAD Museum of Art Savannah 1 Portrait of Mrs. Lucy Johnson
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas CityNelson-Atkins Museum of Art Kansas City 1 Emerging Man
George Eastman Museum, RochesterGeorge Eastman Museum Rochester 1 Red Jackson
The Kinsey African American Art - History Collection, Los AngelesThe Kinsey African American Art - History Collection Los Angeles 1 Charles White
New Orleans Museum of Art, New OrleansNew Orleans Museum of Art New Orleans 1 Untitled, Miami, Florida

Gordon Parks across the decades: one unique original for each

Works per decade

Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.

Gordon Parks's paintings: questions for the gallery

What is the single most famous work of Gordon Parks?Reveal the answer

Muhammad Ali in Training, Miami Beach, Florida (1966), The Gordon Parks Foundation, Pleasantville. Untitled, Harlem, New York (1952) and Contact sheet 111 R3, (1952) come next.

At what age did Gordon Parks create Muhammad Ali in Training, Miami Beach, Florida?Reveal the answer

54 years old: Muhammad Ali in Training, Miami Beach, Florida dates from 1966, and Gordon Parks was born in 1912.

Which ten paintings by Gordon Parks are the most famous?Reveal the answer

Muhammad Ali in Training, Miami Beach, Florida, Untitled, Harlem, New York, Contact sheet 111 R3,, Red and Friends Hide in Shadows while they Scan Street for Rival Gangs, Harlem, New York, Untitled, Harlem, New York, Contact Sheet B1,, In-Home Barbershop, Shady Grove, Alabama, Untitled, Harlem, New York, Contact sheet 30_4, and Muhammad Ali, Miami Beach, Florida. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.

How many works by Gordon Parks are known?Reveal the answer

Our catalog holds 88 works by Gordon Parks, dated from 1941 to 1967.

Where can the most famous Gordon Parks originals be seen?Reveal the answer

Mostly in The Gordon Parks Foundation (Pleasantville), Library of Congress (Washington, D.C.) and High Museum of Art (Atlanta). The museum table above lists them all.

During which period did Gordon Parks create the best-known paintings?Reveal the answer

In 1950s: 39 of the 88 works on this page were made then, Untitled, Harlem, New York among them.

Which famous Gordon Parks painting is the earliest, and which the latest?Reveal the answer

On this page, the earliest is African American and White Soldiers aboard A Ship (1941) and the latest The Fontenelles at the Poverty Board, Harlem, New York (1967).

What subjects did Gordon Parks favour?Reveal the answer

Harlem (36), Urban life (18) and Black and white (18), across the 88 works on this page.

What materials did Gordon Parks paint with most?Reveal the answer

Black and White Photography, for 25 of the 88 works on this page.

Which movement does the work of Gordon Parks belong to?Reveal the answer

Documentary photography, judging by the originals on this page.

What Gordon Parks originals can I see at the The Gordon Parks Foundation?Reveal the answer

Muhammad Ali in Training, Miami Beach, Florida, Untitled, Harlem, New York and Contact sheet 111 R3,: the The Gordon Parks Foundation, Pleasantville holds 67 of the works on this page.

Gordon Parks: a portrait of the artist

early life and career

gordon roger alexander buchanan parks, an american photographer, musician, writer, and film director, was born on november 30, 1912, in fort scott, kansas. he was the youngest of fifteen children to sarah (née ross) and jackson parks. parks' early life was marked by segregation, which he experienced firsthand in his hometown.

as a self-taught artist, parks began his career as a photographer, eventually becoming the first african american to work for life and vogue magazines. his iconic photos of poor americans during the 1940s, taken for a federal government project, are a testament to his skill and dedication.

notable works and achievements

  • shaft (1971), a film directed by parks, which became a cultural phenomenon.
  • the learning tree (1969), a semiautobiographical film that marked parks' directorial debut.
  • a choice of weapons (1985), a memoir that showcases parks' writing prowess.
  • life magazine's photographic essays, which cemented parks' status as a prominent photojournalist.

museums and collections

  • the melvin holmes collection, featuring an extensive collection of parks' work. [https://www.holmesartgallery.com/gordonparks](https://www.holmesartgallery.com/gordonparks)
  • moma (the museum of modern art), which has an impressive collection of parks' photographs. [https://www.moma.org/artists/8083](https://www.moma.org/artists/8083)

awards and legacy

  • naacp image award (2003)
  • pga oscar micheaux award (1993)
  • national medal of arts (1988)
  • spingarn medal (1972)

gordon parks' legacy extends beyond his impressive body of work, as he paved the way for future generations of african american artists. his contributions to photojournalism, filmmaking, and music continue to inspire and influence artists today.

selected works on OriginalUniqueArt.com