Pearl Seller c. 1948

"Pearl Seller" is a black and white photograph by American photographer Jim Steinhardt, taken in 1948. The image captures a street vendor's hand, adorned with a large, ornate ring, holding a strand of pearls while a bundle of additional strands hang from the vendor's coat. The photograph's stark contrast and intimate focus on the details of the vendor's hand and the pearls create a sense of realism and human connection. Steinhardt's work is known for its street photography and social documentary style, often capturing the everyday lives of ordinary people. This photograph, with its simple composition and evocative subject matter, exemplifies Steinhardt's keen eye for capturing the beauty and humanity in the mundane.