Coney Island Bather

c. 1939–41

Coney Island Bather, c. 1939–41. Lisette Model (American, 1901–1983). Gelatin silver print; image: 49.8 x 39.8 cm (19 5/8 x 15 11/16 in.); paper: 50.6 x 40.5 cm (19 15/16 x 15 15/16 in.); matted: 66 x 55.9 cm (26 x 22 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund 1987.219 © Lisette Model Foundation, courtesy PaceWildensteinMacGill, New York This bold photograph of a woman in the surf at Coney Island is one of her best-known images taken by Model during her long career. Hands on knees, smiling, and looking away from the camera, the isolated figure, simply positioned and occupying most of the space in this large print, makes a powerful, arresting image. Model was adept at capturing a revealing moment when an ordinary person was doing a common activity.