Dear friends of The Secret City have donated this exceptional photo by their friend N. Jay Jaffee. This 11x14" print is signed by the artist. It is an iconic image by an artist who is in many of the most important museum collections in the world (listed below). Edward Steichen, one of America's greatest photographers and then curater of MOMA, acquired 3 works of Jaffee's for the museum.

Here is what the artist himself, who passed in 1999, had to say about this photo:

Man with Reflector (1952) I was startled when I saw this man sunning himself with a metal reflector. This was the first I saw this contraption being used. Also, it was not often that I came across a person whom I wanted to photograph that just happened to be in a perfect design pattern. His head was at the base of the L-shaped window corner, with the Venetian blind creating a horizontal pattern. The building’s bricks on the left formed another strong pattern.

The man’s hat, his large black overcoat, and gray woolen gloves complimented the patterns of the building behind him. The man’s bold figure, cuddled in the somewhat oversized coat and large, warm-looking gloves, gives one the impression of a solid mass of contentment, which is enhanced by the relaxed look on the man’s face. He may even be sleeping. The weird metal reflector jutting away from his face almost appears to be part of his costume, reminding one of a nun’s habit. The reflector helps give the print dimension. I made this exposure in a matter of seconds and quickly walked away, hoping that I did not interfere with his dreams. 

Here is a current article from the Baltimore Sun about a one man show of Jaffee's that is curruntly up there:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/artsmash/bs-ae-arts-story-0207-20140204,0,449394.story

http://njayjaffee.com

http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/157921/Man_with_Sun_Reflector_East_New_York