Join The Collection to save, track, and explore works like this.

Helen Levitt — New York (broken mirror)
Helen Levitt

New York (broken mirror)

A cracked and fragmented mirror discarded on a New York City sidewalk reflects the surrounding urban environment in a kaleidoscopic array of broken shards, transforming the mundane street scene into an abstract composition. Helen Levitt's keen eye finds poetry in this chance discovery, using the shattered glass to multiply and distort the city's visual landscape. The gelatin silver print exemplifies Levitt's celebrated ability to reveal the unexpected beauty and surreal quality hidden within everyday street life.

Medium
Gelatin silver print, printed later.

🔨 Auction Lot

Photographs Evening & Day

October 5, 2016

Start the Discussion

Request access to join the discussion

About this work

Helen Levitt, New York (broken mirror)

A cracked and fragmented mirror discarded on a New York City sidewalk reflects the surrounding urban environment in a kaleidoscopic array of broken shards, transforming the mundane street scene into an abstract composition. Helen Levitt's keen eye finds poetry in this chance discovery, using the shattered glass to multiply and distort the city's visual landscape. The gelatin silver print exemplifies Levitt's celebrated ability to reveal the unexpected beauty and surreal quality hidden within everyday street life.

Medium
Gelatin silver print, printed later.
Seen at
Phillips, New York, London, Hong Kong

Related themes

20th Century, Twentieth Century, Humanist Photography, New York City, Urban Life, Documentary Style, Black and White Photography, Gelatin Silver Print, American Artist, Female Photographer, Children Subject, Social Documentary, Street Photography, Black and White, Candid Photography

More works by Helen Levitt