In a remarkable display of art and history, the Dulwich Picture Gallery presents “Portrait of a City,” an exhibition that unveils the multifaceted American urban landscape through the lens of iconic photographers. Running until 4 October, this carefully curated showcase features a selection of works that spans a century of photography and tells the stories of cities across the United States, illuminating their beauty, grit, and the human experience within.
A Visual Journey Through Time
This exhibition is only the second of its kind in the gallery’s history, reflecting the profound relationship between the evolution of urban environments and the art of photography. The collection begins with the early pioneers of pictorialism, such as Alfred Stieglitz and Edward Steichen, and progresses through to the powerful documentary images of Dorothea Lange and Lewis Hine. Lange’s evocative works, including the deeply moving “Migrant Mother” and “White Angel Breadline,” serve as poignant reminders of the struggles faced during the Great Depression, while Hine’s striking portrait of ironworker Victor “Frenchy” Gosselin highlights the tenacity and spirit of the American worker.
The exhibition embraces an eclectic mix of talent, showcasing names like Diane Arbus, Richard Avedon, and Saul Leiter, all of whom have left indelible marks on the art of photography. Unique to this show is its reliance on the DNB Savings Bank Foundation collection, which brings a specific curatorial focus, albeit with certain limitations in selection.
The City at Night: A Different Perspective
Accompanying the still images are short film pieces that offer alternative narratives. A 44-second film featuring the White Angel soup kitchen in San Francisco in 1931 presents a striking contrast to Lange’s stark depiction, showcasing a vibrant community animated by joy and resilience, complete with an upbeat swing soundtrack. Such moments highlight the duality of urban life, where despair and hope coexist.
The exhibition also delves into the work of photographers who were initially trained as painters, demonstrating their acute sense of composition and light. Aaron Siskind’s “Harlem Document” exemplifies this blending of artistic influences, where he transforms the raw realities of Harlem into a new language of social protest through his lens.
Unveiling the Shadows of Urban Existence
The exhibition’s narrative shifts as it explores the darker shadows of city life. Louis Faurer’s “Looking at the RCA Building at Rockefeller Center” encapsulates this theme, portraying an anonymous figure dwarfed by the towering structure, evoking feelings of both isolation and awe. As night falls, the exhibition invites viewers to confront the unsettling aspects of urban existence through Weegee’s sensationalist photographs capturing New York’s murky underbelly—moments of violent crime and haunting stillness that reveal the city’s pulse after dark.
Roy DeCarava’s evocative “Hallway” captures the essence of urban solitude. The photograph’s dimly lit corridor, reminiscent of the tenement buildings of Harlem, engulfs viewers in a sense of claustrophobia and longing, reminding us of the spaces that shape our experiences.
The Evolving American Narrative
Through the lens of these first- and second-generation European immigrant photographers, “Portrait of a City” retells the American narrative, offering insight into how photography became a medium for artists to grapple with the overwhelming nature of urban life. Through the works of Garry Winogrand, who sought to blend into the cityscape, we see a quest for belonging and understanding amidst the chaos.
As we journey through the 1960s and 1970s, the exhibition captures the vibrant cultural shifts that defined the era. Bruce Davidson’s Leica shots of New York’s graffiti-covered subway trains transport us into the heart of city life, where disparate lives intersect in a cacophony of celebration, conflict, and connection. The dynamism of the city is palpable, painted in the warm hues of sunset that bathe the carriages in a sensuous glow.
Why it Matters
“Portrait of a City” is more than just an exhibition; it is a poignant exploration of the American urban experience, revealing the complexities and contradictions that define city life. By showcasing the works of legendary photographers, it invites us to reflect upon the shared narratives of struggle and resilience that resonate through our own experiences. In an age where the urban landscape continues to evolve, this exhibition serves as a crucial reminder of the stories embedded within the fabric of our cities—stories that demand to be seen, heard, and remembered.