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V-J Day In Times Square Picture Analysis

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Art, no matter what form it’s in, is something everyone can identify with. Whether someone is walking through the Louvre in Paris, admiring Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” or attending “Swan Lake” on Broadway in New York City and watching Odette turn into a beautiful woman, the interpretation of art is so varied in the eye of the looker. Alfred Eisenstaedt captured “V-J Day in Times Square,” on August 14th in 1945, a candid moment in black and white when a US Navy sailor grabbed an unknown woman and kissed her after the United States announced its victory over Japan. This photograph captures spontaneity, emotions and history. First, this photograph captures spontaneity. For example, Moments before President Harry S. Truman announced The United States won the victory over Japan in 1945, George Mendonsa, wearing his tailored, dark navy blue sailor uniform and white cap, who was actually on a first date seeing “A Bell for …show more content…

This photograph captures history. To explain, when Altred Eisenstaedt originally took this picture, he was unaware of what an impression it would have on our country. How one depiction of a celebration could bring so many people together.To emphasize, for years reporters searched and analyzed the picture trying to unravel the identity of the “kissers.” Several men and woman came forward claiming to be the sailor and nurse from 1945, but none were a match. Life Magazine reprinted the image in several different articles and finally in a 1980 issue, George Mendonsa saw the iconic, black and white photo from 35 years prior and knew it was him instantly. He told a reporter “it was like looking through a mirror.” (Mendonsa, George, The True Story Behind the Iconic V-J Day Sailor and Nurse Smooch, The New York Post). Also, Greta Zimmer saw the same issue and remembered that day as if it had just happened. Out of all the photos that were taken during that time, this photo is the most recognizable and captures the most history from World War

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