Hercules Brown, 20 year Esso dealer, in his general store, Somerville, Maine 1944

"Hercules Brown, 20 year Esso dealer, in his general store, Somerville, Maine" is a 1944 black and white photograph by Gordon Parks. The photo depicts Hercules Brown, a 20-year Esso dealer, standing in his general store, in Somerville, Maine. The composition is characterized by a sense of realism, as the viewer is presented with an intimate and unvarnished look into the daily life of a working-class man. The photograph is a powerful example of Parks's ability to capture the dignity and resilience of everyday people. The photograph, part of Parks's "American Gothic" series, explores themes of class, labor, and the American Dream.