Times Square, New York City, November 22, 1963 Possibly 1963 - 2003

Curator: Richard Avedon's gelatin-silver print, "Times Square, New York City, November 22, 1963" it’s tentatively dated between 1963 and 2003. Editor: The weight of that news… it’s palpable, isn’t it? A kind of stillness amid the potential chaos of Times Square. The tonal range here is really impressive too, particularly when you notice how this stillness contrasts the blurred crowd. Curator: The power in this piece lies in its documentarian qualities. Avedon captures a pivotal moment, JFK’s assassination. The photograph invites a look at the very real shock of a city, a country, processing a sudden and tragic event. Editor: Yes, the historical impact is obvious. Structurally speaking, the central woman—look at how she's framed—holding that newspaper. "PRESIDENT DEAD" in stark, bold text. It becomes a symbolic representation of national grief, especially when you see the woman's sad gaze and heavy face. Curator: Precisely! The framing feels purposeful, almost theatrical. He invites an almost documentary-like realism while shaping a particular narrative response with careful visual arrangement and tonality. The depth of field directs you right towards the grief. Editor: What interests me is how Avedon transforms this newsworthy tragedy into almost classical pictorial tragedy; it's an orchestration of dark masses. The composition almost leads your eye toward the woman's gaze. And the subtle, nearly grayed background allows our eyes to really fixate on that tragic gaze. Curator: Beyond that single moment captured, it reminds us of the power images hold in recording and shaping history. The starkness almost turns this gelatin-silver print into something between painting and raw testimony. Editor: Exactly. This photo encapsulates a historic moment. The visual structure just amplifies the mood so perfectly, solidifying it as a testament to loss. It speaks volumes, not just about that day but about the enduring power of visual storytelling, a somber symphony in blacks, whites, and infinite shades of grey.