This is a black and white photograph of three soldiers seated on a bridge, above the Arno River, Florence, Italy 1958 by Leonard Freed. It is a 12" x 16" gelatin silver print signed by the photographer. The image appears on page 52 of Freed's monograph Leonard Freed: Photographs 1954-1990 (Nathan Image, 1991).
The photograph of the soldiers in Florence was taken during one of Freed’s first visits to Italy. Three young men enjoy a tranquil moment seated on the bridge, with three adjacent arches over the river. One is reading or maybe he is looking for a passage in the book, while his two friends admire the Arno river that divides in two parts the city of Florence.
Leonard Freed discovered Little Italy in New York City early in his career and was charmed by Italians and their country of origin. The photographer made numerous trips to Italy, especially to Rome and Naples, capturing everyday life, love, sadness, joy of family gatherings, food and leisure. Freed's series of photographs in Italy reflect the “Italian spirit,” the art of enjoying the moment, the culture and lifestyle of a Latin country.
Provenance: Freed Estate
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Artist’s Bio:
Leonard Freed (1929-2006) was an American photographer from Brooklyn, New York. His "Black in White America" series made him known as a documentarian, a social documentary photographer. Freed worked as a freelance photographer from 1961 onwards and as a Magnum photographer Freed traveled widely abroad and, in the US, photographing African Americans (1964-65), events in Israel (1967-68, 1973), and the New York City police department (1972-79). Freed's coverage of the American civil rights movement is well-known as are his photo essays on New York, Italy, Germany, The Kate Series, among others.
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