Jerusalem Alley, A Symbolic Warsaw Street: when Soviet and Polish troops met in Warsaw on January 17, 1945, it was in Jerusalem Alley that they met. At that time, Warsaw was 95% destroyed and this street, like the rest, was like a cemetery in the city of the dead. But today, 15 years later, the scene has changed considerably. There are still a few ruins to be seen, true, but for the most part, the street has been entirely rebuilt. Most of the older buildings are in the grimly-blunt Soviet-style of architecture; but in more recent structures, even this changed. And since the October 1956 revolution, a new wind of dignity and freedom has blown down the street. It is no longer an eastern city, nor is it entirely a western one. But one thing is certain, it is Polish. Pictured: a shoe store window draws a big crowd in goods hungry Warsaw.

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Jerusalem Alley, A Symbolic Warsaw Street: when Soviet and Polish troops met in Warsaw on January 17, 1945, it was in Jerusalem Alley that they met. At that time, Warsaw was 95% destroyed and this street, like the rest, was like a cemetery in the city of the dead. But today, 15 years later, the scene has changed considerably. There are still a few ruins to be seen, true, but for the most part, the street has been entirely rebuilt. Most of the older buildings are in the grimly-blunt Soviet-style of architecture; but in more recent structures, even this changed. And since the October 1956 revolution, a new wind of dignity and freedom has blown down the street. It is no longer an eastern city, nor is it entirely a western one. But one thing is certain, it is Polish. Pictured: a shoe store window draws a big crowd in goods hungry Warsaw.
Jerusalem Alley, A Symbolic Warsaw Street: when Soviet and Polish troops met in Warsaw on January 17, 1945, it was in Jerusalem Alley that they met. At that time, Warsaw was 95% destroyed and this street, like the rest, was like a cemetery in the city of the dead. But today, 15 years later, the scene has changed considerably. There are still a few ruins to be seen, true, but for the most part, the street has been entirely rebuilt. Most of the older buildings are in the grimly-blunt Soviet-style of architecture; but in more recent structures, even this changed. And since the October 1956 revolution, a new wind of dignity and freedom has blown down the street. It is no longer an eastern city, nor is it entirely a western one. But one thing is certain, it is Polish. Pictured: a shoe store window draws a big crowd in goods hungry Warsaw.
Artist/Maker (German, 1916 – 1964)
Date1960
MediumVintage ferrotyped gelatin silver print
DimensionsImage: 6 3/4 × 9 7/8 in. (17.1 × 25.1 cm) Sheet: 6 3/4 × 9 7/8 in. (17.1 × 25.1 cm)
Credit LineGift of Thomas J. Wilson and Jill M. Garling, P2016
Object number2025.30.109
Not on view

Additional Details

Markings Verso, top middle, page attatched (black ink, typewriter): "Jerusalem Alley, A Symbolic Warsaw Street: OBY when Soviet and Polish troops met in Warsaw on January 17, 1945, it was in Jerusalem Alley that they met. At that time, Warsaw was 95% destroyed and this street, like the rest, was like a cemetery in the city of the dead. But today, 15 years later, the scene has changed considerably. There are still a few ruins to be seen, true, but for the most part, the street has been entirely rebuilt. Most of the older buildings are in the grimly-blunt Soviet-style of architecture; but in more recent structures, even this changed. And since the October 1956 revolution, a new wind of dignity and freedom has blown down the street. It is no longer an eastern city, nor is it entirely a western one. But one thing is certain, it IS Polish. / 22. A shoe store window draws a big crowd in goods hungry Warsaw."
Verso, bottom middle, "OBY, Photo by PIX INCORPORATED. 250 Park Avenue New York City, Tel. Plaza 9-8500. Please Credit Claude Jacoby - PIX. / A LICENSE IS GRANTED ONLY TO THE PUBLICATION TO WHICH THIS PHOTOGRAPH IS SENT TO REPRODUCE FOR ONE TIME ONLY THE PICTURE APPEARING ON THIS PRINT. IT MUST NOT BE LOANED, SYNDICATED OR USED FOR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION."
Verso, right middle (green ink stamp): "Westport Public Library, Westport, Conn."
Verso, bottom right corner (black ink stamp): "6 549"
Published References Variant illustrated: Getty Images editorial number 551343869
Inscribed Verso, bottom left corner (pencil): "Poland -"
Verso, bottom right corner (pencil): "22"