This exhibition, which has been in the making for two years, displays some of the best known works by one of the masters of night photography, O. Winston Link. Although most of his memorable photographs were taken in the 1950's, O. was a relative unknown in the world of fine arts photography for most of his long life (he is in his 80's) and it wasn't until 15 years ago that his work, especially his pieces on steam locomotives, began to receive acclaim in the rarified air of fine arts photography.
Link has led a long trek up the hill of recognition: he has suffered from ill health, including heart bypass surgery, eye cataracts and bad knees. And most notorious of all was the stress of a bitter divorce from his second wife, Conchita Mendoza.
Three years ago, Mendoza was indicted in N.Y. for grand larceny in the disappearance of 1,400 of Link's prints, valued at more than $1 million. The works on display at Ralls are brilliant, and pieces such as "Washing J Class 605 at Shaffers Crossing, Roanoke, Virginia" are clear examples of why Link is almost a cult figure among steam locomotive fans.
His works, as evidenced by technical mastery, equipment ingenuity and creative skill, transcend the subject and are magnificent photographs, period.
O. Winston Link, at the Ralls Collection, 1516 31st Street, NW, Washington, DC (202) 342-1754 until June 13, 1998.
