Margaret Bourke-White: Syria in 1940, South Gallery

South Gallery

Margaret Bourke-White: Syria in 1940

June 24 - September 13, 2014

In 1940, seven months before the United States entered World War II, LIFE magazine sent photographer Margaret Bourke-White, the first female photojournalist, to the young republic of Syria in order to document its pivotal role — culturally, geographically, militarily — in the region. The exhibition will survey more than 15 photographs taken by Bourke-White, which landed her a featured photographic essay. The Syrian assignment for Bourke-White is illuminating in the context of today’s civil war and Syria’s major position both in the Middle East and on the global stage. The photographs on view are the vintage prints used for the production of the magazine.