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Untitled

A work made of gelatin silver print.

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  • A work made of gelatin silver print.

Date:

1947/48

Artist:

Sid Grossman
American, 1913–1955

About this artwork

In 1936 Sid Grossman cofounded the Photo League in New York City, an organization to “promote photography as a tool to effect social change.” The Photo League influenced a generation of emerging documentary photographers before disbanding in 1951 at the height of the Red Scare, after the FBI accused members of communist political activities.

Grossman took this photograph in the summer of 1947 or 1948, when he was regularly documenting vibrant and intimate human interactions on the beaches of Coney Island in New York. Capturing a tender moment between a young couple, this image offers a close look at the man’s back, which bears a whimsical, amorous message. It appears to be burned into his skin but is likely just wet sand that can be washed away, a fitting metaphor for summer love.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Photography and Media

Artist

Sidney Grossman

Title

Untitled

Place

United States (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

Made 1947–1948

Medium

Gelatin silver print

Dimensions

Image/paper: 19.8 × 20 cm (7 13/16 × 7 7/8 in.)

Credit Line

Purchased with funds provided by in memory of Ernest N. Kahn

Reference Number

1988.192

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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