Man in a Doorway, Seen from a Car by Luke Swank

Man in a Doorway, Seen from a Car c. 1934

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lukeswank

rijksmuseum's Profile Picture

rijksmuseum

photography, gelatin-silver-print

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portrait

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street-photography

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photography

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gelatin-silver-print

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modernism

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realism

"Man in a Doorway, Seen from a Car" is a striking black and white photograph by American photographer Luke Swank, created around 1934. The image captures a man standing in a doorway, viewed through the reflection of a car window. Swank’s signature style of street photography is evident in this composition, as he captures a fleeting moment of urban life, emphasizing the anonymity and solitude of the individual. The use of light and shadow creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, while the composition, with its focus on the man’s silhouette, draws the viewer’s eye to the subject and invites contemplation. The photograph exemplifies Swank’s masterful ability to capture both the beauty and the grit of everyday life.

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rijksmuseum's Profile Picture
rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

After Swank died at a fairly young age in 1944 his negatives and prints remained in private ownership and were unseen for years. consequently, Swank was far less known than contemporaries such as Walker Evans or Dorothea Lange. The cropping of the man in a doorway was unusual in the 1930s, and gave rise to a daring composition.

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