In a remarkable exhibition now on display at Dulwich Picture Gallery, ‘Portrait of a City’ invites visitors to delve into the multifaceted narrative of American urban life through the lens of iconic 20th-century photographers. The show, running until 4 October, showcases the gritty, vibrant, and often melancholic essence of cityscapes, featuring works from renowned artists such as Alfred Stieglitz, Dorothea Lange, and Saul Leiter. This carefully curated collection not only reflects the evolution of photography but also serves as a poignant commentary on the American experience.
A Journey Through Time and Space
This exhibition is notable as only the second photography showcase in the history of Dulwich Picture Gallery. It artfully intertwines the development of urban environments with the evolution of photographic techniques, offering a rich overview of American cities from the early 1900s to the late 20th century. Starting with the pictorialist pioneers, Stieglitz and Edward Steichen, the exhibition provides a chronological journey through the art form, presenting masterpieces that highlight both the beauty and the harsh realities of urban life.
Among the standout pieces are Lange’s powerful ‘Migrant Mother’ and ‘White Angel Breadline’, as well as Lewis Hine’s evocative portrait of ironworker Victor “Frenchy” Gosselin, captured amid the construction of New York’s Empire State Building. Each photograph serves as a testament to the resilience and struggles of individuals during pivotal moments in American history.
A Curatorial Challenge
One of the unique aspects of ‘Portrait of a City’ is its reliance on the DNB Savings Bank Foundation collection. This limitation in curatorial choice leads to a focused yet diverse presentation, featuring work from the likes of Ilse Bing, Diane Arbus, and Richard Avedon. Each photograph encapsulates a moment in time, allowing viewers to witness both the monumental and mundane aspects of urban life.
Interspersed throughout the exhibition are short films that offer alternative perspectives. A striking 44-second clip showcasing the White Angel soup kitchen in San Francisco, where Lange’s iconic image was created, paints a contrasting picture of vibrancy and community, set against the backdrop of the Great Depression. The upbeat soundtrack serves to highlight a lively atmosphere, challenging the viewer’s preconceived notions of despair associated with Lange’s work.
Light and Shadows of the Urban Experience
The exhibition’s first section spotlights how many of the featured photographers began their careers as painters, which is evident in their meticulous attention to composition and light. Aaron Siskind’s ‘Harlem Document’ exemplifies this influence, capturing the gritty textures of Harlem’s urban landscape while innovating a new visual language for social commentary.
As the narrative progresses, the tone shifts from the optimism of urban regeneration to a more sinister exploration of isolation within the city. Louis Faurer’s ‘Looking at the RCA Building at Rockefeller Center’ encapsulates this sentiment perfectly, featuring a solitary figure dwarfed by the imposing architecture, evoking a sense of anonymity and introspection.
Weegee’s haunting night photography adds another dimension, revealing the underbelly of urban life through sensationalist snapshots of crime scenes and accidents. These images expose the city’s darker side, where tension and drama unfold against the backdrop of towering buildings and flickering streetlights.
The City in Motion
Moving into the 1960s and 1970s, the exhibition captures the dynamic shifts in culture and politics that defined the era. Bruce Davidson’s Leica shots of New York’s subway system in the 1980s encapsulate this vitality, showcasing a diverse tapestry of life as people navigate the bustling city. From moments of joy to conflict, Davidson’s photographs convey the relentless energy of urban existence, with the sun setting in a fiery glow over graffiti-covered carriages.
The exhibition concludes with a celebration of the small yet profound moments that characterise city life. Peter Hujar’s ‘Richie’ captures a fleeting moment of introspection in the rain, reminding us of the beauty that can be found in the mundane.
Why it Matters
‘Portrait of a City’ is not merely an exhibition of photographs; it is a comprehensive narrative that reflects the complexities of American urban life across decades. By showcasing the works of predominantly first- and second-generation European immigrant photographers, the exhibition highlights how these artists grappled with their identities within the vastness of the city. This exploration of urban experience resonates deeply in today’s fast-paced world, serving as a reminder of the stories that unfold within our cities and the enduring power of photography to capture the essence of human experience.
