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Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive

Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016) was a pioneering photographer and art teacher whose austere, compelling images contributed significantly to the North American photography scene during the 1970s and 1980s. Snyder MacNeil is well known for her cumulative portrait studies in platinum-palladium and for her groundbreaking role in incorporating vernacular imagery into her artistic production. The Image Centre (formerly Ryerson Image Centre) holds a wide variety of her preparatory work and final exhibition prints, as well as her negatives, book maquettes, and research notes.

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Poster from photographic exhibition in 1968. — Fig. 1
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Poster for photographic exhibition], ca. 1968, lithograph. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2015 (AG01.01.01.0001)

Drawing of exhibition installation from 1972. — Fig. 2
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Drawing of exhibition installation], 1972–1973, photocopy. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2015 (AG01.01.01.0002)

Drawing of exhibition installation from 1985. — Fig. 3
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Drawing of exhibition installation], 1985, graphite on paper. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2015 (AG01.01.01.0003)

Grandmother sleeping on a blanket in a grassy field. — Fig. 4
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [My Grandmother sleeping], from the series Portraits/Biographies, 1974, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2008 (AG01.02.01.0580)

Jim Lemkin with father and grandparents in 1978. — Fig. 5
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Jim Lemkin, with Father and Grandparents, from the series Album Pages, 1978–1981, platinum-palladium print on tracing vellum. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2007 (AG01.02.01.1078)

Stephanie and her sisters floating in the water in 1973. — Fig. 6
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Stephanie and her Sisters, from the series Portraits/Biographies, 1973, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2007 (AG01.02.01.1137)

Mrs. Zamoyska sitting in a chair surrounded by her dogs, viewing a picture added in post-production of herself sitting next to an empty chair. — Fig. 7
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Mrs. Zamoyska, from the series Portraits/Biographies, 1972–1973, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2008 (AG01.02.01.1141)

Portrait of grandmother in bedroom from 1973. — Fig. 8
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), My Grandmother (Virginia T. Ferry), from the series Portraits/Biographies, 1973, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2008 (AG01.02.01.1146)

Beef carcasses being unloaded from a delivery truck in 1968. — Fig. 9
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Beef carcasses being unloaded from a delivery truck], from the series Haymarket, 1968–1970, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2008 (AG01.02.02.0099)

Late afternoon busy city landscape from 1968. — Fig. 10
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Late Afternoon, from the series Haymarket, 1968, gelatin silver print mounted on Masonite. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2015 (AG01.02.02.0287)

A portrait of a man, Ronald, on his 40th birthday. — Fig. 11
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Ronald, 40th Birthday, from the series Ronald, 1981–1982, platinum-palladium print on tracing vellum. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2007 (AG01.02.03.0172)

A little girl, Jazimina, with a toad. — Fig. 12
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Jazimina (with toad), from the series Daughter/Father, 1987, platinum-palladium print on tracing vellum. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2009 (AG01.02.05.0056)

Image of outstretched arms - one hand facing down and the other facing up with the palm of the hand and fingers painted black. — Fig. 13
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Andrew Ruvido and Robyn Wessner, from the series Hands, 1981–1982, platinum-palladium print on tracing vellum. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2007 (AG01.02.06.0241)

Maquette for Sesto family portrait from 1977. — Fig. 14
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Maquette for Sesto family portrait], from the series Hands, 1977–1988, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2008 (AG01.02.06.0249)

Portrait of teen girl, Esther Solondz, from 1979. — Fig. 15
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Esther Solondz, 1979–1982, from the series Class Portrait, Graduate Students in Photography, Rhode Island School of Design, platinum-palladium print on tracing vellum. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2005 (AG01.02.07.0026)

Statue called 'Head of King' in Cluny Museum located in Paris. — Fig. 16
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Head of King, Cluny Museum, Paris, France, from the series Heads of Kings, 1983–1987, platinum-palladium print on tracing vellum.Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2007 (AG01.02.10.0029)

Image of a wooden window in Williamsville, Vermont. — Fig. 17
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Williamsville, Vermont, from the portfolio Unitarian Universalist Church, Williamsville, VT, 1967–1972, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre. (AG01.02.12.0106)

Close-up of a little boy with freckles. — Fig. 18
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Close-up of boy with freckles], from the series Special School for Special Children, ca. 1975, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2008 (AG01.02.13.0018)

A group of children dressed up in costumes from around 1968. — Fig. 19
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Children dressed in costumes], from the series Irish Tinkers, 1968–1969, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2008 (AG01.02.14.0063)

Image of the Tinker family inside a tent from around 1968. — Fig. 20
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Tinker family inside tent], from the series Irish Tinkers, 1968–1969, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2007 (AG01.02.14.0065)

Poster from photographic exhibition in 1968. — Fig. 1
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Poster for photographic exhibition], ca. 1968, lithograph. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2015 (AG01.01.01.0001)

Drawing of exhibition installation from 1972. — Fig. 2
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Drawing of exhibition installation], 1972–1973, photocopy. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2015 (AG01.01.01.0002)

Drawing of exhibition installation from 1985. — Fig. 3
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Drawing of exhibition installation], 1985, graphite on paper. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2015 (AG01.01.01.0003)

Grandmother sleeping on a blanket in a grassy field. — Fig. 4
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [My Grandmother sleeping], from the series Portraits/Biographies, 1974, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2008 (AG01.02.01.0580)

Jim Lemkin with father and grandparents in 1978. — Fig. 5
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Jim Lemkin, with Father and Grandparents, from the series Album Pages, 1978–1981, platinum-palladium print on tracing vellum. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2007 (AG01.02.01.1078)

Stephanie and her sisters floating in the water in 1973. — Fig. 6
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Stephanie and her Sisters, from the series Portraits/Biographies, 1973, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2007 (AG01.02.01.1137)

Mrs. Zamoyska sitting in a chair surrounded by her dogs, viewing a picture added in post-production of herself sitting next to an empty chair. — Fig. 7
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Mrs. Zamoyska, from the series Portraits/Biographies, 1972–1973, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2008 (AG01.02.01.1141)

Portrait of grandmother in bedroom from 1973. — Fig. 8
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), My Grandmother (Virginia T. Ferry), from the series Portraits/Biographies, 1973, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2008 (AG01.02.01.1146)

Beef carcasses being unloaded from a delivery truck in 1968. — Fig. 9
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Beef carcasses being unloaded from a delivery truck], from the series Haymarket, 1968–1970, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2008 (AG01.02.02.0099)

Late afternoon busy city landscape from 1968. — Fig. 10
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Late Afternoon, from the series Haymarket, 1968, gelatin silver print mounted on Masonite. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2015 (AG01.02.02.0287)

A portrait of a man, Ronald, on his 40th birthday. — Fig. 11
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Ronald, 40th Birthday, from the series Ronald, 1981–1982, platinum-palladium print on tracing vellum. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2007 (AG01.02.03.0172)

A little girl, Jazimina, with a toad. — Fig. 12
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Jazimina (with toad), from the series Daughter/Father, 1987, platinum-palladium print on tracing vellum. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2009 (AG01.02.05.0056)

Image of outstretched arms - one hand facing down and the other facing up with the palm of the hand and fingers painted black. — Fig. 13
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Andrew Ruvido and Robyn Wessner, from the series Hands, 1981–1982, platinum-palladium print on tracing vellum. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2007 (AG01.02.06.0241)

Maquette for Sesto family portrait from 1977. — Fig. 14
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Maquette for Sesto family portrait], from the series Hands, 1977–1988, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2008 (AG01.02.06.0249)

Portrait of teen girl, Esther Solondz, from 1979. — Fig. 15
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Esther Solondz, 1979–1982, from the series Class Portrait, Graduate Students in Photography, Rhode Island School of Design, platinum-palladium print on tracing vellum. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2005 (AG01.02.07.0026)

Statue called 'Head of King' in Cluny Museum located in Paris. — Fig. 16
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Head of King, Cluny Museum, Paris, France, from the series Heads of Kings, 1983–1987, platinum-palladium print on tracing vellum.Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2007 (AG01.02.10.0029)

Image of a wooden window in Williamsville, Vermont. — Fig. 17
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), Williamsville, Vermont, from the portfolio Unitarian Universalist Church, Williamsville, VT, 1967–1972, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre. (AG01.02.12.0106)

Close-up of a little boy with freckles. — Fig. 18
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Close-up of boy with freckles], from the series Special School for Special Children, ca. 1975, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2008 (AG01.02.13.0018)

A group of children dressed up in costumes from around 1968. — Fig. 19
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Children dressed in costumes], from the series Irish Tinkers, 1968–1969, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of Don Snyder, 2008 (AG01.02.14.0063)

Image of the Tinker family inside a tent from around 1968. — Fig. 20
Wendy Snyder MacNeil (American, 1943–2016), [Tinker family inside tent], from the series Irish Tinkers, 1968–1969, gelatin silver print. Wendy Snyder MacNeil Archive, The Image Centre, Gift of the Artist, 2007 (AG01.02.14.0065)