Hubert Morrison with His Wife and Cat, Atlas Steel (Working People series) 1978 - 1979

Milton Rogovin captured this black and white photograph, "Hubert Morrison with His Wife and Cat, Atlas Steel," as part of his "Working People" series. The composition is immediately striking; the subjects fill the frame, drawing us into their intimate space. Note how the photograph is structured around a series of contrasts: the rough texture of the wall against the smooth fabric of the sofa, the dark clothing of Hubert against his wife’s lighter shirt. The eye is drawn to the kitten, cradled in Hubert’s hands, a small detail which adds a layer of tenderness to the portrait. Rogovin’s choice to focus on ordinary people challenges conventional hierarchies. It elevates the everyday, highlighting the dignity and humanity of working-class individuals. Consider the interplay between realism and representation, the visible traces of lived experience and the artistic framing that invites us to look closer. The photograph functions as a cultural artifact, reflecting broader social and political concerns around labor, class, and representation.