Indiana University Indiana University IU

Browse the collection

42nd Street, Midget Movies, New York

Artist Louis Faurer (American, 1916–2001)
Title 42nd Street, Midget Movies, New York
Date Ca. 1948, printed 1990s
Medium Gelatin silver print
Dimensions Image: 12 1/4 × 8 3/16 in. (31.1 × 20.8 cm)
Sheet: 14 × 11 in. (35.6 × 27.9 cm)
Credit Line Gift of Harvey Osterhoudt, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number 99.32

Share this artwork!

About this Work

Although Louis Faurer began his career as a fashion photographer, he is best known for his New York City street scenes—particularly Times Square at night. Following in the documentary tradition of the New York Photo League, Faurer combined a gritty objectivity with a humane approach to his subjects. It was, however, his sense of irony—such as the macabre disappearance of the man’s head in this picture–which appealed to younger street photographers like Robert Frank (with whom Faurer shared a darkroom), Diane Arbus, and Lee Friedlander. Faurer’s voyeuristic approach enabled him to explore some of the psychological tensions and contradictions found in American society.


Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

Viewing Information
This artwork is currently off display. You may be able to see this artwork by filling out an art viewing room request.

 

Request this Image
The Eskenazi Museum of Art provides images of its collection, free of charge, upon request. This artwork is under copyright protection. You can request the image and it will be emailed to you when the request is complete.

Cite this Page
"42nd Street, Midget Movies, New York | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2024. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=99.32