Slow Fade to Black: Ethel Waters

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

Color inkjet print (a) of Ethel Waters in a green frame (b). The photograph (a) is intentionally out of focus. The figure of Ethel Waters is wearing an elaborate costume for the Broadway musical "As Thousands Cheer." She is wearing a matching asymetrical head piece. Water has a white dress with spotted detailing and leg-of-mutton sleeves. The overdress has a deep neckline, striped pattern, and diamond shaped belt. Waters is facing toward the camera with both arms raised on either side of her head and her mouth open in the midst of a dynamic pose. Water is surrounded by unidentified performers who are crouched down around her with their arms raised. In the original image, Waters can be seen wearing a large necklace, earrings, and rings. The underdress is a sheer fabric embellished with circular metal detailing. The head piece is the same striped pattern as the overdress.

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