Untitled, Harlem, New York 1948

This photograph of Harlem, New York, was taken by Gordon Parks, but we don't know exactly when. The composition is a stark exploration of form and content, dominated by heavy blacks and subtle greys. It is an image that doesn't hold back from showing you what it has to show you. The contrast of light and shadow emphasizes the texture of the surfaces, the pinstripes of the victim's jacket, the ripples in the pooling blood and the cold, hard surfaces of the street. Notice the arm reaching in from the upper right, an implicit gesture of comfort or investigation. I can't help but be reminded of Caravaggio's use of chiaroscuro. Both artists wield light and dark to dramatic effect, drawing viewers into the heart of the narrative. Parks and Caravaggio show us what it means to be human, and how we can fail each other, a conversation across time and mediums.