Three Children on Swings, Pitt Street, New York

1950
(American, 1919–2006)
Image: 14.6 x 17.9 cm (5 3/4 x 7 1/16 in.); Paper: 15 x 18.4 cm (5 7/8 x 7 1/4 in.); Matted: 35.6 x 45.7 cm (14 x 18 in.)
© Walter Rosenblum
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location: not on view

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Description

A frequent theme for Helen Levitt was the power of the imagination in children’s play in New York City’s poorer neighborhoods. The boys with toy guns may be playing war or cops and robbers. Whatever scenario they chose, their game echoed grave events from the adult world. Levitt often used a right-angle viewfinder so her subjects were unaware; they thought she was pointing the camera in another direction. The children in Walter Rosenblum’s image, in contrast, smile directly at the photographer as they express the sheer physical joy and glee of taking flight on swings.
Three Children on Swings, Pitt Street, New York

Three Children on Swings, Pitt Street, New York

1950

Walter Rosenblum

(American, 1919–2006)
America, 20th century

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