Jackie (Lower West Side series) 1974

Milton Rogovin made this black and white photograph, Jackie (Lower West Side series), at an undetermined date. I wonder what it was like to be Rogovin, walking around with his camera, searching for the right shot. He’s probably thinking about light, form, and composition, but also about the human connection. Jackie’s slumped posture and the graffiti behind him could be read as signs of urban decay, but Rogovin seems more interested in capturing a sense of dignity and resilience. I’m curious about how the artist chose this particular angle and framing. The lines of the door and brickwork create a tight, almost claustrophobic space around Jackie. Was Rogovin trying to capture a sense of confinement? Or perhaps he was drawn to the way Jackie’s figure stands out against the rough textures of the urban landscape? Artists are always in conversation with one another, building on the ideas and techniques of those who came before.