Untitled (man next to gas pump) c. 1945

This small photograph by Robert Burian captures a man next to a gas pump, and offers a glimpse into a specific moment in American history. The gas price, just over 18 cents a gallon, reflects the economic realities of the time. Made sometime in the mid-20th century, this work invites us to consider the social and economic landscape of that era. The setting, a modest gas station, speaks to a time when car ownership was becoming more widespread, transforming American society. The man, likely a worker, stands as a representative of the working class, embodying the labor that fueled this growing economy. Historical archives, economic reports, and sociological studies can offer a deeper understanding of the dynamics at play in this image. By examining such resources, we can interpret the photograph not just as a snapshot, but as a window into the complex social and economic structures of its time.