Joel Meyerowitz

1968

N/A
Black and White Photograph
Gift

Joel Meyerowitz is a famous American photographer who was born in New York City in 1938. Meyerowitz took to the streets of New York City with a 35mm camera and captured what are now iconic photographs.

In this image we see three people sitting on the famous Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. In the middle of the fountain stands a sculpture called, Angel of the Water which represents health, purity, temperance and peace. Two Black men sit about a foot apart and appear to pay no attention to Meyerowitz, their attention rather lies to something to their left. The man on the right side of the photograph seems to be sitting on a White person, their identity is a mystery. The mystery person keeps their arms locked around the chest of the man who sits upon their lap.

Bethesda Fountain was taken early in Joel Meyerowitz’ career. Meyerowitz’ work would later be added to the collections within the Museum of Modern Art, the International Center of Photography, New York Public Library and the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago.