Accession Number
2016/2.426

Title
Butcher at the Open-air Market, Rome

Artist(s)
Dmitri Baltermants

Artist Nationality
Russian (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1939-1990, printed 2003

Medium & Support
gelatin silver print on paper

Dimensions
16 in x 20 in (40.64 cm x 50.8 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Thomas Wilson '79 and Jill Garling '80

Subject matter
In this photograph, a butcher in a white shirt and apron stands in the threshold of his shop, with various cuts and types of meat and various cheeses surrounding him. His open mouth and pointing hand suggest he is addressing the viewer, possibly a potential customer. Another man can be seen through the glass of the shop window. The rounded, creased form of the man's face echoes the shape of the cut meats right above his head, and his white shirt blends into the light-toned cheeses on either side of him. These effects produce a strange visual parity between the vender and his merchandise.

Physical Description
A man stands in the threshold of a shop with meats and cheeses on display all around him.

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Primary Object Type
black and white print

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
butcher shops
butchers
cheese
markets (structures)
meat
street scenes