Fiddlin’ Bill Hensley, from Asheville, North Carolina.
This cool public domain photograph comes from the Farm Security Administration – Office of War Information Photograph Collection in the Library of Congress. It’s an animated portrait of an old time fiddler named Fiddlin’ Bill Hensley, from Asheville, North Carolina.
This photo was shot by Ben Shahn, who was acting as an agent of the United States government. It is therefore in the public domain.
4 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.
User Descriptions
03.27.10
The man fiddler is look like foreign beggar. And now he is doing his business begging by Playing the violin. Because he lost his family so that he doing this. Why he lost his family, I think he tortured his family by playing the violin so his family decides to throw him away. They done it immediately, if they make any delay he kills his family by his music. Now the family is very happy now. But fiddler does not stop his music. He continues his musical life in the streets. And started his as usual work to killing people by his music. No one come to stop this. Please some one take step to kill this fiddler or arrest Him and put him in the prison. We don’t know his next plan, may be h think about to destroy the whole world by his music. He is not killing only people killing animals also by his great music. Look at his body it collection of diseases. No one stand near to him, it spread to others body. So when he comes to the streets, the people are disappeared. Now the people are planned to vacate the town. The government makes a step to protect this people form the music killer fiddler.
03.27.10
This picture of an old man with a violin looks very innocent. The picture looks really old and so does the violin. The old man’s moustache is worth looking at. He also looks very poor. Maybe he plays the violin for his living. It looks as of the violin is the most recious thing in his life. The fiddler’s eyes look very innocent as if he wants to tell something but cant. The violin has an S engraved on it. Maybe the fiddler’s names starts with an S. The man looks really thin. At this age maybe he should rest or something. What attracts me the most in this picture are the man’s eyes. They are really as innocent as a child’s eyes. He looks so tired as if he has seen the whole world and is really tired of it. it also looks like it is quite a sunny day by the picture. His hat is also worth looking for. His violin looks really lod though!!! He is fully dressed like with a hat, a tie and a suit. And his clothes look quite clean. My eyes are not going off his eyes dont know wht??
09.28.10
Your description of the old fiddler was very kind and sweet. I think people of that era were poor for the most part and playing musical instruments was their form of enter-tainment. By the way, all violins have an “S” carved in them. That is not an initial.
09.28.10
I think Bob either has a vivid imagination or is an unkind person. You’re insulting all violin players like myself! I realize there are people who do not like or appreciate violins. I think it’s nice that he is dressed in his finest and ready to delight you with his musical abilities. What instrument do you play, Bob?
09.28.10
I think this ol fiddler is full of fun and loves to treat his audiences with a good dose of happy music. His eyes say he is proud to have his picture taken. He mostly enjoys just playing his fiddle and it makes his day if there happens to be someone there to enjoy his tunes.
03.11.11
What you are all commenting on is the plethora of scenarios that are possible with a righteous photograph. They are here forever for a good reason.
Asa