POTW: Sunbathers

[Brighton Beach sunbathers], circa 1975, v2008.013.32; Lucille Fornasieri Gold photographs, v2008.013; Brooklyn Historical Society.

With temperatures reaching the nineties last week, I think it’s safe to say that the summer heat has finally arrived in Brooklyn. Whether you’re desperately looking for ways to cool off or you enjoy soaking up the heat (like the sunbathers above), please remember to be safe. When the heat index reaches 100 degrees for any one day or 95 degrees for two or more days, the city opens cooling centers in public facilities throughout the five boroughs. Be sure to take note of the centers near you.

The photo of the week depicts sunbathers in Brighton Beach around 1975. This photograph comes from the Lucille Fornasieri Gold photographs collection that comprises 93 color and black and white photographs taken between 1968 and 2008. Gold’s photographs are primarily posed and unposed portraits of individuals throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, and New Jersey. Her approach is documentary in nature, influenced by photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Garry Winogrand, and Lisette Model.  This collection is fully digitized and can be viewed online here.

Interested in seeing more photos from BHS’s collection? Visit our online image gallery, which includes a selection of our images. Interested in seeing even more historic Brooklyn images? Visit our Brooklyn Visual Heritage website here. To search BHS’s entire collection of images, archives, maps, and special collections visit BHS’s Othmer Library Wed-Sat, 1:00-5:00 p.m. library@brooklynhistory.org