Via Zucchelli, Rome, Italy 1949

Gordon Parks's 1949 photograph "Via Zucchelli, Rome, Italy" depicts a solitary figure seated on a stoop in the shadow of a weathered building. The stark black and white composition focuses on the subject, whose worn clothing and slumped posture evoke poverty and hardship. Parks, known for his social documentary style, used photography to highlight social issues and the lives of marginalized communities, making this image a powerful portrayal of post-war Italy. The graffiti on the wall, the street sign, and the worn building facade create a backdrop that speaks to the struggles of daily life in the city.