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© Museum Associates 2026
Collections

Lorna Simpson
Details1996

Not on view
Print with soft, blurred tones showing two hands emerging from deep shadow alongside a faintly visible embossed or decorative form, with the word "expected" below
Gelatin silver print, close-cropped view of two pairs of hands resting on opposite edges of a wooden table, one pair dark-skinned and one pair light-skinned, with handwritten text below reading "stopped speaking to each other."
Grainy black and white print, close-up of a hand resting flat on the edge of a round wooden stool, with a folded cloth or paper beneath, text in cursive script reading "well advised" below the image.
Grainy black and white photographic print, close-up of a child's hand resting on a flat surface, with a torso and clothing visible in soft focus behind; the word "reckless" handwritten in cursive below the image.
Grainy black-and-white photograph, close-up of a person's arm and hand resting against a torso, holding a worn leather holster, with handwritten text below reading "acted in self defense"
Gelatin silver print, extreme close-up of a hand resting atop a small ribbed basket or container, with high contrast and visible grain; the word "applauded" handwritten below in lowercase
Mezzotint or aquatint print, close-up of two hands clasping a rounded object, with white bandaged wrists visible against dark clothing; soft tonal gradations and deep shadows; the word "weighty" in script below the image
Photogravure or intaglio print, close-cropped black and white image of a hand holding a vintage telephone receiver to an unseen ear, with a coiled cord visible at lower left; handwritten text reads "half learned" below the image.
Photogravure or offset print, close-up of two hands pressed flat on a horizontal surface, grainy monochrome tones, with the handwritten caption "carried a gun" below the image.
Mezzotint print with deep black tones, depicting a close-up of a hand holding a nail against a dark background, with a patterned cuff visible at upper left; handwritten text below reads "hit the nail on the head many a time."
Grainy black and white print, extreme close-up of a person's lower legs and feet in heeled shoes, heavily textured with photomechanical grain; cursive text reading "lady love" below the image.
Photogravure or intaglio print, close-cropped view of two pairs of hands against a dark background, one resting on an arm, the other spread wide with fingers extended, high contrast with grainy texture; the word "separated" handwritten in script below the image.
Grainy black and white photograph, extreme close-up of a hand resting on a folded newspaper or magazine on a dark surface, with the word "indifferent" printed below in lowercase italic type.
Photogravure or intaglio print, extreme close-up of two hands clasped together at the torsos of two figures, rendered in soft grainy blacks and grays; italic text below reads "in love and tried to stay out of trouble"
Photogravure or mezzotint print, close-cropped torso of a seated figure in a suit jacket with hands folded in the lap, one wrist bearing a watch; heavily grained, high-contrast monochrome tones. The word "deathly" printed in small lowercase type below the image.
Gelatin silver print, close-up of a hand hanging at the side of a torso against a textured background, with high contrast and visible grain; the word "desired" printed in cursive below the image.
Photogravure or mezzotint print, close-up of a hand resting on the edge of a wooden chair, with a dark woven basket visible in the upper right; high contrast with soft granular tones; handwritten cursive text below reads "the worst had already come to pass"
Grainy black and white photographic print, a gloved hand holding a cluster of roses and leafy stems against a pale rectangular form, with the word "soulful" in cursive script below the image.
Photogravure or mezzotint print, close-cropped view of two hands resting at the sides of a figure in textured fabric clothing, with a white stripe visible at the neckline; the word "member" printed in script below the image.
Photogravure or offset print, extreme close-up of a person's hand hanging at their side, wearing light-colored trousers, with an ornately carved chair visible at right; high contrast, grainy texture; the word "comedian" printed in lowercase italic type below the image.
Mezzotint or photo-based print, close-cropped torso of a seated figure in a suit jacket, hands clasped in lap; heavy grain and deep shadows; cursive text below reads "lived in the neighborhood"

Lorna Simpson, expected, 1996, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Purchased with funds provided by the Ralph M. Parsons Fund, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

Artist or Maker
Lorna Simpson
United States, New York, Brooklyn, born 1960
Title
Details
Place Made
United States
Date Made
1996
Medium
21 photogravures
Dimensions
Image: 5 15/16 × 4 15/16 in. (15.08 × 12.54 cm) Primary support: 10 × 8 in. (25.4 × 20.32 cm) Overall: 11 × 9 × 1 11/16 in. (27.94 × 22.86 × 4.29 cm)
Credit Line
Purchased with funds provided by the Ralph M. Parsons Fund
Accession Number
AC1997.96.1.3-.23
Classification
Photographs
Collecting Area
Photography
Copyright
© Lorna Simpson

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