1916
(American, 1882–1925)
Lithograph
Platemark: 25.3 x 20.3 cm (9 15/16 x 8 in.); Sheet: 32.8 x 26.9 cm (12 15/16 x 10 9/16 in.)
Gift of Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. 1936.606
Catalogue raisonné: Mason 32
The young African American man in this image is the elevator operator, responsible for manually operating the lift.
Elevators, in 1916 as today, often inspire awkward social interactions. George Bellows himself described this print as a “study of the relation of a nun to society.” The Old World European values and modesty of the nun contrast to the younger, more boisterous passengers, who give wide berth to her dominating physical and moral presence.
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