Forging Die Blocks at Ford Rouge Plant, 1927

01

Artifact Overview

Charles Sheeler was commissioned to photograph Ford Motor Company's brand new River Rouge plant in 1927. This portrait of an enormous forging die is one of the few shots showing workers. Sheeler focused instead on the buildings and machinery that he considered "incomparably the most thrilling" subjects he had ever photographed. His Rouge work quickly became an icon of modern industry.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

1927

Creator Notes

Originally photographed by Charles Sheeler in 1927 for Ford Motor Company. Copied by Ford Motor Company in 1929.

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

64.167.189.P.6581

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Linen (Material)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 10.875 in
Width: 7.375 in