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Photography by Edward C. Robison III.

In the Desert, 10 Minute Break

Chiura Obata’s drawing captures the harsh realities of life for Japanese Americans and people of Japanese descent in the United States during WWII. Obata made this work while imprisoned in the desert of western Utah.

ArtistChiura Obata, 1885–1975
Date1942
MediumInk and graphite on paper
Dimensions15 1/4 x 21 in. (38.7 x 53.3 cm)
Signedl.r., in red ink: [stamp]
Credit LineCrystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, Gift of the Estate of Chiura Obata, 2023.24
ClassificationDrawing
On ViewYes
In the Desert, 10 Mi…15.3 × 21 in.Tennis Ball2.7 in. diameter

This artwork's face covers about 44× the area of a tennis ball.Drawn to the same scale.