Photo: Margaret Bourke-White (1904-1971)
Dr. Kurt Lisson Leipzig’s city treasurer, and his wife and
daughter after taking poison to avoid surrender to U.S. troops, Leipzig, 1945
Margaret White is an American photographer, the first female
foreign photographer to take pictures of the Soviet industry, the first female
war correspondent and the first female photographer for “Life” magazine. She was always in the right place at the
right time.
In this picture the artist depicts 3 people in a room. If we
did not know the title of the photograph, we would think that the characters
are asleep, since the characters are blending in with the furniture. At first
glance one would observe the furnishings and the bright light that comes
through the windows. Once the photograph is further viewed, one can now notice
the statues of people in the room. It seems like the man is trying to hide something
important or that he is grieved with sorrow because of the two females. If one examines the photo a little
closer, it can be deduced that the people in the picture were killed. Margaret
White was again at the right place and right time when Deputy Mayor Leipzig,
his wife and daughter took poison before the U.S. troops would come to
interrogate and arrest them.
Leipzig’s wife is on the chair and he’s daughter wearing a Red Cross
uniform and is laid on the couch.
The picture is so powerful because it draws the viewer in
and the message and the feeling that is affecting the viewer is having a huge
impact on one’s memory.
The great light that comes through the windows gives an
interesting texture to the seats. Because the picture is black and white, and
from the character’s outfits, we can assume that this picture was taken in the 50’s,
so I was wondering how would the picture look like if it had a little bit of
color. I was wondering if it would transmit the same feeling, if the bodies are
as noticeable at first glance or not.
Photo by Margaret White
Edited by Roxy Adelle
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