The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 19, 2024

Argument Nut Game, Rivington Street, Lower East Side, New York

Argument Nut Game, Rivington Street, Lower East Side, New York

1938, printed later
(American, 1919–2006)
Image: 15.8 x 20.9 cm (6 1/4 x 8 1/4 in.); Paper: 16.9 x 22.2 cm (6 5/8 x 8 3/4 in.)
Location: not on view

Description

Many Lower East Side residents were Jewish. The cause of the argument between these children standing outside a playground may be part of a tradition of Passover games that use nuts. These range from guessing whether the head or tail of the nut is facing up to manipulating nuts around lines or circles drawn on the ground. Betting—usually nuts but perhaps money—may be involved in the scene unfolding here.
  • A New York Minute: Street Photography, 1920-1950. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 11-November 7, 2021).
  • {{cite web|title=Argument Nut Game, Rivington Street, Lower East Side, New York|url=false|author=Walter Rosenblum|year=1938, printed later|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2017.82