Swimming Pool, Welch, West Virginia
Photograph, gelatin silver print • O. Winston Link (American, 1914–2001)
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Documentary/Social Realism mixed with Cinematic Staged Photography
Medium & Technique
Black and white photography, gelatin silver process involving flash photography and environmental lighting at night
Creation Period
1958 (printed later)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 16 inches; vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A complex night composition featuring the Norfolk and Western Railway locomotive 2145 crossing a bridge over a swimming hole where local youths are playing in the water. The image symbolizes a vanishing era of steam power during the industrial expansion of the late 1950s.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; well-preserved under glass with a clean mat and professional framing
Estimated Market Value
$4,000 - $7,000 (depending on print date and signature presence)
Auction Estimate
$3,500 - $6,000
Provenance History
Acquired via gallery or estate sale; typically signed or stamped verso or on the mount (if visible)
Art Historical Significance
Link is renowned for his technical mastery of night photography and synchronized flash. This image is a key work in his series documenting the end of the steam era on the Norfolk and Western line, humanizing the industrial landscape.
Notable Features
Includes the identifying Norfolk and Western markings on both the railcars and the bridge structure; demonstrates Link's unique use of multi-bulb flash setups to light entire outdoor landscapes.
Condition Issues
None visible from the image; potential minor reflection on glass and slight silver mirroring could exist on older prints but not evident here
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment, away from direct sunlight; ensure UV-filtering glass is used in the frame