Alec Soth: The Last Days of W

Of this body of work, Soth writes, “Henri Cartier-Bresson famously said, ‘The world is going to pieces and people like Adams and Weston are photographing rocks.’ But I don’t think the world would have been a better place if these photographers had headed off to a war zone. The question is whether you can be a political photographer while you photograph rocks.

Color photograph of a simple model of a church sitting on a wooden table

Color photographic portrait of a young man with a shaved head dressed in a camouflage military uniform with two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on his lap

Color photograph of an empty set of the Oval Office with desk and painted backdrop in a convention hall setting

Color photograph of a man reclining on a massage table under a bare tree on a green lawn next to a running track

Color photograph of a movie theater with an oversized neon sign wedged between two other empty storefronts

Color photograph of a girl in a cowboy hat and boots cradling a life-size plastic skeleton

Color photograph of a ping pong table in front of a mural of a man reaching out of the sea to another dressed in white walking on water

Color photograph of an elderly man standing on a brown lawn looking down at a model rocket in his hand

Color image of busy street at night filled with fast food restaurants and gas stations as fireworks go off in the distance

View all

Alec Soth: The Last Days of W

Alec SothOur Lady of Pines, Nevis, Minnesota

2007

pigment print, 31 x 37 inches (framed) [78.7 x 94 cm], edition of 10

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothJosh, Joelton, Tennessee

2004

pigment print, 37 x 31 inches (framed) [94 x 78.7 cm], edition of 10

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothCivic Fest, Minneapolis, MN

2008

pigment print, 32 x 40 inches (framed) [81.3 x 101.6 cm], edition of 10

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothChula Vista, California

2008

pigment print, 41-1/4 x 49-1/4 inches (framed) [104.8 x 125 cm], edition of 10

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Comments
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothGrand Twin Cinema, Paris, TX

2006

pigment print, 49 x 59 inches (framed) [124.6 x 150 cm], edition of 10

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothPriscilla, Los Angeles

2008

pigment print, 32 x 40 inches (framed) [81.3 x 101.6 cm], edition of 10

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothFirst Baptist Church, Bemidji, MN

2007

pigment print, 32 x 40 inches (framed) [81.3 x 101.6 cm], edition of 10

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothRon, San Antonio, TX

2005

40 x 32 inches (framed) [101.6 x 81.3 cm], edition of 10

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothRock Springs, Wyoming

2008

chromogenic print, 30 x 36 inches (sheet) [76.2 x 91.4 cm], edition of 8 + 3 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

View all

Related Portfolios

Black and white photograph of two people tossing a rock outdoors

Alec Soth: Songbook

View all

Alec Soth: Songbook

From 2012 to 2014 Soth traveled the United States looking for signs of social life in our era of virtual social networks. From upstate New York to Silicon Valley, he attended hundreds of meetings, dances, festivals and family gatherings.

Black and white photograph of cheerleader in midair split — Alec Soth, Bree, Liberty Cheer All-Stars, Corsicana, Texas, 2012

pigment print, 43 x 56 inches (sheet) [109.2 x 142.2 cm], edition of 9 + 3 APs

Black and white photograph of a group of individuals dancing while covered in foam — Alec Soth, Crazy Legs Saloon, Watertown, New York, 2012

pigment print, 58 x 76 inches (sheet) [147.3 x 193.4 cm], from an edition of 9 + 3 APs

Black and white photograph of a lone man walking across an empty courtyard — Alec Soth, Facebook. Menlo Park, California, 2013

pigment print, 43 x 56 inches (sheet) [109.2 x 142.2 cm], from an edition of 9 + 3 APs

Black and white photograph of motel parking lot with looming clouds just over the building — Alec Soth, Magic Castle Inns and Suites, Kissimmee, Florida, 2012

pigment print, 43 x 56 (sheet) [109.2 x 142.2 cm], edition of 9 + 3 APs

Black and white photograph of teenagers dancing at prom — Alec Soth, Prom #2. Cleveland, Ohio, 2012

pigment print, 42-3/4 x 55-5/8 inches (sheet) [108.6 x 141.3 cm], edition of 9 + 3 APs

Black and white photograph of house covered in greenery — Alec Soth, Near Gainesville, Georgia, 2014

pigment print, 58 x 76 inches (sheet) [147.3 x 193.1 cm], edition of 9 + 3 APs

Black and white photograph of framed portrait of a man with sunglasses on — Alec Soth, Robert E. “Bob” Wiatt. College Station, Texas, 2013

pigment print, 34 x 28 inches (sheet) [86.4 cm x 71.1 cm], edition of 9 + 3 APs

Black and white photograph of man holding glass globe in front of face causing distortion — Alec Soth, The last snow globe repairman, Northfield, Minnesota, 2012

pigment print, 28 x 36 inches (sheet) [71.1 x 91.4 cm], edition of 9 + 3 APs

Alec SothRound Rock, Texas

2013

pigment print, 28 x 36 inches (sheet) [71.2 x 91.4 cm], edition of 9 + 3 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothBree, Liberty Cheer All-Stars, Corsicana, Texas

2012

pigment print, 43 x 56 inches (sheet) [109.2 x 142.2 cm], edition of 9 + 3 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothCrazy Legs Saloon, Watertown, New York

2012

pigment print, 58 x 76 inches (sheet) [147.3 x 193.4 cm], from an edition of 9 + 3 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothFacebook. Menlo Park, California

2013

pigment print, 43 x 56 inches (sheet) [109.2 x 142.2 cm], from an edition of 9 + 3 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothMagic Castle Inns and Suites, Kissimmee, Florida

2012

pigment print, 43 x 56 (sheet) [109.2 x 142.2 cm], edition of 9 + 3 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Comments
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothProm #2. Cleveland, Ohio

2012

pigment print, 42-3/4 x 55-5/8 inches (sheet) [108.6 x 141.3 cm], edition of 9 + 3 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothNear Gainesville, Georgia

2014

pigment print, 58 x 76 inches (sheet) [147.3 x 193.1 cm], edition of 9 + 3 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothRobert E. “Bob” Wiatt. College Station, Texas

2013

pigment print, 34 x 28 inches (sheet) [86.4 cm x 71.1 cm], edition of 9 + 3 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothThe last snow globe repairman, Northfield, Minnesota

2012

pigment print, 28 x 36 inches (sheet) [71.1 x 91.4 cm], edition of 9 + 3 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Color image of seated man holding box labeled 'Photos' surrounded by stacks of paper

Alec Soth: A Pound of Pictures

View all

Alec Soth: A Pound of Pictures

In photographs made on a series of road trips across the U.S., Soth records people and locations with subtle connections. The series features images that reference photography itself, investigating the physicality of the medium and its limited ability to preserve what is fleeting.

Color image of minivan in cemetery with furnace plant in background — Alec Soth, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 2019

pigment print, 32 x 40 inches (image) [81.3 x 101.6 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

Color image of a reclined male on leather sofa with two pairs of legs also in frame — Alec Soth, Cooper. Chicago, Illinois, 2019

pigment print, 40 x 50 inches (image) [101.6 x 127 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

Color image of waterfall with two photographers in foreground — Alec Soth, Bond Falls, Michigan, 2019

pigment print, 40 x 50 inches (image) [101.6 x 127 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

Color image of a seated woman with book in hand looking towards camera — Alec Soth, Anna. Austin, Texas, 2021

pigment print, 40 x 50 inches (image) [101.6 x 127 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

Color image of woman holding rope around a large tree amongst verdant surrounding — Alec Soth, Molly. Morenci, Michigan, 2019

pigment print, 32 x 40 inches (image) [81.3 x 101.6 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

Color image of nude male model posing in life drawing classroom with two students drawing — Alec Soth, Plastic Arts Club. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2019 / printed 2021

pigment print, 40 x 50 inches (image) [101.6 x 127 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

Color image of a person with binoculars in grain field with large cloud of smoke on the horizon — Alec Soth, Birdwatching. Linfield, Pennsylvania, 2019

pigment print, 32 x 40 inches (image) [81.3 x 101.6 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

Color photograph of a bedside table in a mirrored bedroom corner — Alec Soth, Harvard House. Hollywood, California, 2020

pigment print, 43-1/2 x 53-1/2 inches (mount) [110.5 x 135.9 cm], edition of 9 + 4 AP

Color image of a road surrounded by verdant greenery — Alec Soth, Abstract Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2021

pigment print, 32 x 40 inches (image) [81.3 x 101.6 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

Color photograph of a hotel bed covered in small color photographs — Alec Soth, The Coachlight. Mitchell, South Dakota, 2020 / printed 2021

pigment print, 43-1/2 x 53-1/2 inches (mount) [110.5 x 135.9 cm], edition of 9 + 4 AP

Alec SothNeil. Winona, Minnesota

2019

pigment print, 24 x 30 inches (image) [61 x 76.2 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Comments
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothBethlehem, Pennsylvania

2019

pigment print, 32 x 40 inches (image) [81.3 x 101.6 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothCooper. Chicago, Illinois

2019

pigment print, 40 x 50 inches (image) [101.6 x 127 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothBond Falls, Michigan

2019

pigment print, 40 x 50 inches (image) [101.6 x 127 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothAnna. Austin, Texas

2021

pigment print, 40 x 50 inches (image) [101.6 x 127 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothMolly. Morenci, Michigan

2019

pigment print, 32 x 40 inches (image) [81.3 x 101.6 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothPlastic Arts Club. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2019 / printed 2021

pigment print, 40 x 50 inches (image) [101.6 x 127 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Comments
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothBirdwatching. Linfield, Pennsylvania

2019

pigment print, 32 x 40 inches (image) [81.3 x 101.6 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothHarvard House. Hollywood, California

2020

pigment print, 43-1/2 x 53-1/2 inches (mount) [110.5 x 135.9 cm], edition of 9 + 4 AP

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothAbstract Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

2021

pigment print, 32 x 40 inches (image) [81.3 x 101.6 cm], edition of 9 + 4 APs

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Alec SothThe Coachlight. Mitchell, South Dakota

2020 / printed 2021

pigment print, 43-1/2 x 53-1/2 inches (mount) [110.5 x 135.9 cm], edition of 9 + 4 AP

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Comments
Comments
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

A photograph of a young man lying on a bed, as seen through a partially open sliding door. Pink flowers on the left.

Alec Soth: I Know How Furiously Your Heart Is Beating

View all

Alec Soth: I Know How Furiously Your Heart Is Beating

Taking its name from a line in Wallace Stevens’s poem “The Gray Room,” this body of work investigates the possibilities and limitations of what photographs can convey about the inner lives of their subjects. Intimate and quiet, the images reveal something otherwise unknowable about both the sitter and the photographer.