Untitled (Lower West Side series) 1973

Milton Rogovin made this gelatin silver print, part of his Lower West Side series, sometime in the mid-20th century. Rogovin devoted his lens to the lives of the working class, challenging the frequent invisibility of such communities in mainstream photography. The image creates meaning through its stark realism. The woman's direct gaze confronts the viewer. The setting – a simple bench against a brick wall – speaks to the unadorned lives of many in Buffalo, New York, during this period. Rogovin's work prompts us to consider the economic shifts impacting the working class in the post-war era. Did these images challenge or reinforce existing social norms? Did they critique the institutions that shaped the lives of these communities? As historians, we might consult census data, local newspapers, and oral histories to enrich our understanding. Art provides a lens through which we can examine and reflect on the intricate relationship between social context and the creation of meaning.