About the Artwork
This is one of a series of industrial photographs that Sheeler made in 1939 in preparation for a group of six paintings on the theme of Power commissioned by Fortune magazine. It depicts the wheel and disk driver of a Model J3A Hudson Thoroughbred locomotive, one of the ten streamlined versions of the engine designed to pull the legendary Twentieth Century Limited. This engine, designed by Henry Dreyfuss and built in 1937, was regarded by railroad enthusiasts as the most beautiful steam locomotive for a passenger train in America. Focusing on the wheels of the great locomotive, Sheeler created an image that epitomizes the power of the engine and the elegance of its design. As is characteristic of Sheeler’s photographs, there is a warm, subtle range of tones and a satisfying balance of light and shadow. Especially masterful are the gradations of tone in the disk driver at the left and in the puff of steam with a trail of vapor.
Wheels
1939
Charles Sheeler
1883-1965
American
Unknown
Gelatin silver print
Image: 6 3/8 × 9 5/16 inches (16.2 × 23.7 cm) Mount: 17 1/4 × 14 inches (43.8 × 35.6 cm)
Photographs
Prints, Drawings & Photographs
Founders Society Purchase, John S. Newberry Fund and J. Lawrence Buell, Jr. Fund
F1983.124
The Lane Collection
Markings
Signed, in pencil, lower right, on mount: Charles Sheeler.
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Provenance
the artist, Charles Sheeler
gift to Van Deren Coke (San Francisco, California). 1983-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)
For more information on provenance and its important function in the museum, please visit:
Provenance pageExhibition History
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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.
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Suggest FeedbackPublished References
100 Masterworks from the Detroit Institute of Arts. New York, 1985, p. 176, p. 177 (ill.).
Advokat, Stephen. "DIA Pays $67,100 for a 1939 Photo." Detroit Free Press, November 10, 1983, 1A (ill.).
Barr, Nancy W. "The Legacy of Photographic Modernism in America: Edward Weston's 'Photographic Art' and Charles Sheeler's 'Wheels.'" Bulletin of the DIA 80, 1/2 (2006): 42 (ill.).
Colby, Joy Hakanson. "It's a Bull Market for Rare Photographs." The Detroit News, November 27, 1983, 1E (ill.).
Cosgrove, Bob. "High Priced Wheels, the New York Central and the Arts." Central Headlight 21, 1 (First Quarter 1991): 16-29, 16 (ill.).
Crase, D. "Twentieth Century Limited" Art and Antiques (April 1984): 105-106 (ill.).
"DIA Buys $67,000 Photo." The Detroit News, November 10, 1983, 1A (ill.).
Duthy, Robin. "Unlimited Editions" Connoisseur (August 1984): 32-35, p. 33 (ill.).
Grundberg, Andy. "Much to Sing the Praises of," The New York Times (December 25, 1983): 23.
Junne, G. "Detroit's New 'Wheels'" Photoworks 4, 1 (1984): 5 (ill.).
Nilson, Lisbet. "State of the Art, a Symbollic Sale." American Photographer (February 1984): 14 (ill.).
Stein, D. "Motor City's Big Wheels" Art & Auction 6, 9 (April 1984): 47-48.
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Credit Line for Reproduction
The Lane Collection
Charles Sheeler, Wheels, 1939, gelatin silver print. Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase, John S. Newberry Fund and J. Lawrence Buell, Jr. Fund, F1983.124.
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