Sit Down, Brooklyn c. 1935 - 1943

Here we see Joseph Leboit's print, 'Sit Down, Brooklyn', depicting two men with an accordion layered with industrial scenes and transit. The accordion, an instrument often associated with folk traditions, hints at communal joy and shared experiences. Yet, the factory setting and the subway cars evoke a sense of the modern, industrial age. These symbols create a tension between the organic and the mechanical. The figures perched atop the machinery recall ancient friezes or classical depictions of laborers, echoing the heroic portrayal of work seen in socialist realism. Consider the 'memento mori' tradition, where skulls and musical instruments serve as reminders of life's transient nature. Here, the accordion might suggest not just joy, but also the fleeting moments of respite amid the relentless pace of industrial life. The composition's emotional power lies in its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia, a yearning for connection. Ultimately, the accordion weaves through time, resurfacing in different forms, carrying echoes of human emotion and resilience.