American Visionary: John F. Kennedy’s Life and Times
This exhibition depicted a golden age of photojournalism in America--and no single politician was photographed more than JFK. Photographers and news-reel cameramen used images of the Kennedy and his young family to convey a vision of a new America—a sophisticated world power engaged in building a bright future for its citizens. Kennedy, in turn, understood the power of pictures to convey his message to voters and was a willing partner in crafting his public persona to help build support for the space program, the Peace Corps, legislation on Civil Rights and immigration, equal pay for women, federal health insurance for the elderly—initiatives that would ensure a more diverse and egalitarian America.
The dramatic scope of Kennedy’s life is evident in these photographs—from his youthful travels, his first congressional bid as a decorated war hero, the fairytale marriage to Jacqueline Bouvier, his run for the White House and role as commander in chief, to the tragedy of his death in Dallas. Selected from the Kennedy Library, Getty Images, private collections, and the Kennedy family archives, these images remain as indelible evidence of John Kennedy’s personal charisma and political accomplishments.
This exhibition was based on the book JFK: A Vision for America and was organized by Lawrence Schiller in cooperation with the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation with additional support from Stephen Kennedy Smith and Getty Images.
