Suzanne Opton (American, born 1954). <em>Soldier: Mickelson-length of service unknown, Fort Drum, NY</em>, 2005. Inkjet print, 32 × 40 in. (81.3 × 101.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the artist, 2007.26. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Image courtesy of the artist, CUR.2007.26_artist_photograph.jpg)

Suzanne Opton (American, born 1954). Soldier: Mickelson-length of service unknown, Fort Drum, NY, 2005. Inkjet print, 32 × 40 in. (81.3 × 101.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the artist, 2007.26. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Image courtesy of the artist, CUR.2007.26_artist_photograph.jpg)

Suzanne Opton (American, born 1954). Soldier: Mickelson-length of service unknown, Fort Drum, NY, 2005. Inkjet print, 32 × 40 in. (81.3 × 101.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the artist, 2007.26. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Photograph courtesy of the artist, 2007.26_Clapton_photo.jpg)

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Soldier: Mickelson-length of service unknown, Fort Drum, NY

Suzanne Opton

Photography

On View:

These two works are part of a large series of soldiers’ portraits by the New York–based photographer Suzanne Opton. Opton photographed Claxton and Mickelson on their return to Fort Drum, New York, from service in Afghanistan and Iraq. Asking each to rest his head on a table, she shot the horizontal face close up, against a dark background. The images of these disembodied heads reveal every pore and blemish, even a wandering eyelash. Psychological portraits more than traditional representations of heroes, the exposed faces seem thoughtful and oddly tranquil, vulnerable in their naked intimacy.

ARTIST Suzanne Opton, American, born 1954

MEDIUM Inkjet print

DATES 2005

DIMENSIONS 32 × 40 in. (81.3 × 101.6 cm) frame: 38 × 46 × 2 in. (96.5 × 116.8 × 5.1 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Photography

ACCESSION NUMBER 2007.26

CREDIT LINE Gift of the artist

EXHIBITIONS

Burning Down the House: Building a Feminist Art Collection

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Suzanne Opton (American, born 1954). Soldier: Mickelson-length of service unknown, Fort Drum, NY, 2005. Inkjet print, 32 × 40 in. (81.3 × 101.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the artist, 2007.26. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Image courtesy of the artist, CUR.2007.26_artist_photograph.jpg)

EDITION Edition: 1/5

IMAGE overall, CUR.2007.26_artist_photograph.jpg. Image courtesy of the artist

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