Untitled (advertisement for deep fryer) c. 1950

This gelatin silver print is an untitled advertisement for a deep fryer. I look at this and I think of Irving Penn. But what does it mean to elevate the mundane? I imagine Robert Burian, the artist, carefully arranging the fryer, its basket, and whatever's been deep-fried, maybe potatoes or chicken. He's looking through the lens, thinking about light and shadow, trying to make this ordinary kitchen appliance look as appealing as possible. The detail is amazing. You can almost feel the slick surface of the fryer and see the crispy texture of the fried food. There is a beauty in the everyday. It reminds us that art can be found in the most unexpected places, and that even a simple advertisement can be a work of art.