Visual Analysis Project

“V-J Day in Times Square” by Alfred Eisenstaedt

“V-J Day in Times Square” is a photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt that portrays an American sailor kissing a woman in a white dress on Victory over Japan Day in Times Square, New York City, on August 14, 1945.

The image shows a man in a dark sailor’s uniform and hat, and a woman in a white dress embracing in what appears to be a romantic kiss. The woman’s right leg is slightly lifted while her left arm hangs behind her with her hand resting on the back of her thigh. The sailor is leaning over the woman, holding her at the waist with his right hand. The sailor’s left arm holds the woman’s head, and at the same time, shields her face from the photographers view. While their faces are not completely visible, it appears that they know each other, and are a couple. Onlookers of this iconic duo are pictured in the background with smiles on their faces while tall New York City buildings and crowds of people frame the kissing couple.

On that day, thousands of people all over the world took to the streets to celebrate the surrender of Japan, and the end of World War II . While some U.S. cities dealt with riots and fighting, New York residents were photographed drinking, gathering in the streets cheering, and sharing hugs and kisses with strangers. With the hundreds of photos that have been shared all over the internet of couples imitating this very pose near statues inspired by this photo, or in the centre of Times Square itself, it’s easy to assume that for some people, this image portrays love and romance. However, this is not an image about love at all. In fact, the two pictured in this photo had never seen each other nor knew each other’s names.

This image could also be seen in negative light. In the famous photo that Eisenstaedt took of the couple that day, it could appear to some that the woman is grabbing at her skirt in an attempt to keep it from being lifted higher. It’s also apparent in the photo that neither one of her arms are returning the sailor’s embrace. Her right arm appears to be pinned between the two of them while her left arm holds down her skirt. One could also assume that her leg is slightly lifted and she appears to be falling in the photo because the man was reported to be running through the square and literally ran into her, knocking her off balance.

However, if the context is ignored, this photograph suggests of romance alone and anybody would think of this man and the woman to be a couple. The way the woman in white is slightly dipped backwards as the sailor kisses her, how he wraps his arm around her waist and supports her head, and the way that her leg is kicked up all say romance. Movies and books have engrained these characteristics as gestures of love and romance into our heads.

By focusing on the main subjects of the photo, it’s easy to assume that this image is capturing a romantic moment shared between a couple in love. However, if you focus on the background subjects, this image could also represent a celebration in a city centre. Eisenstaedt’s intent was to capture the “spontaneous events that occurred in Times Square as the announcement of the end of the war on Japan was made by U.S. President Harry Truman” (“V-J Day in Times Square.” Wikipedia).