Dinner Time at Mr. Hercules Brown's Home, Somerville, Maine 1944

This photograph, Dinner Time at Mr. Hercules Brown's Home, Somerville, Maine, by Gordon Parks, captures an intimate family moment, bathed in the soft glow of the kitchen light. I can almost feel the weight of the camera in Parks's hands, the quiet click of the shutter freezing this ordinary scene into art. What was he thinking as he framed this shot? I imagine him wanting to convey the warmth and resilience of this family amidst the everyday struggles. The composition, with its careful arrangement of faces around the table, reminds me of a Renaissance painting. Each person is a world unto themselves, yet connected by the shared act of eating. Parks invites us into this space, encouraging us to reflect on the universality of family, community, and the simple act of sharing a meal. It’s a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places.