New York City c. 1948 - 1980

Louis Faurer created this black and white photograph, titled *New York City*, at an undetermined date. In it, we see a rainy street scene framed by a window. The photograph presents us with a layered view, literally and figuratively. Faurer’s choice to shoot through a window creates a sense of distance, inviting us to consider the social dynamics at play. The gritty realism of the city, with its bustling traffic and anonymous figures, speaks to the social fabric of mid-20th century America. It prompts questions about urban life, class, and the individual's place within the masses. Was this art commenting on the post-war boom, or the sense of alienation that can come with living in a big city? To understand this photograph better, one could look into the history of street photography, the economic conditions of New York City at the time, and the influence of social realism on the art of the period. The meaning of art is always tied to its social and institutional context.