Being Fitted 

Abe Birnbaum made this lithograph, "Being Fitted," at some point during his career as a social realist artist. The image captures a moment of sartorial creation, but also something more. The scene suggests a world of private labor, class division, and perhaps, a critique of the fashion industry. The elegant woman, poised and aloof, contrasts sharply with the kneeling tailor, who is likely working in her home. Where and when was this made? The details of dress and interior design could tell us a lot. Was Birnbaum making a statement about the widening gap between the wealthy and the working class? Or was he revealing the hidden labor that makes consumer culture possible? To fully understand this, we would need to delve into the history of labor practices, fashion, and class structures of his time. These kinds of historical contexts are crucial when we consider what’s really at stake in an image like this.