John D. Whiting was a notable American artist, born in 1908 in the United States and passed away in 1951. He was a prominent member of the American Colony in Jerusalem, a Christian community that played a significant role in the city's cultural and social landscape.
Early Life and Education
Whiting received his B.A. in 1931 and his Ph.D. in sociology and anthropology in 1938, both from
Yale University. He remained at Yale until 1947 on the staff of the
Yale Institute of Human Relations. After two years at the State University of Iowa, he was offered a position at Harvard in the Graduate School of Education.
Artistic Career
Whiting's artistic career was marked by his work as a photographer alongside
G. Eric Matson,
Hanna Safieh, and
Joseph H. Giries in the American Colony Photo Department. He took charge of the photo department in 1934, after
Lewis Larsson departed from colony membership. Whiting's
Diary in Photos series (1934–1939) offers a rare example of a visual genre intertwined with major events, daily life, family relations, and personal emotive observations, sketching a rich ethnographic portrait of private and public life in Mandate Palestine and neighboring cultures during the 1930s.
Artistic Style and Influences
Whiting's work was influenced by his experiences as a member of the American Colony in Jerusalem. His photographs and writings provide valuable insights into the social, cultural, and political landscape of the region during the 1930s.
Light and
shadow play a significant role in Whiting's photography, capturing the essence of life in Mandate Palestine.
Legacy
Whiting's legacy can be seen in his contributions to the American Colony Photo Department and his
Diary in Photos series. His work provides a unique perspective on life in Jerusalem during the 1930s, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of its inhabitants. For more information about Whiting's work, visit
WahooArt.com or check out the
Library of Congress collection.
For more information about John D. Whiting, visit
WahooArt.com or check out the Wikipedia page.