Fire Hydrant, 1937

Arthur Fellig's Fire Hydrant captures a quintessentially New York moment during the height of the Great Depression, where children transform a utilitarian object into a source of joy and relief.

This vintage gelatin silver print exemplifies Weegee's remarkable ability to find humanity and tenderness amid the harsh realities of urban life.

The photograph documents the time-honored tradition of fire hydrant cooling that emerged during New York's brutal heat waves, particularly following the devastating Great Heat Wave of 1896.

By 1937, when this image was made, opening hydrants had become an established ritual for tenement children seeking respite from sweltering summer temperatures. The practice often occurred without official permission, as evidenced by the resourceful children who "could not close them again and let them run until gutters were filled".

Weegee's compositional mastery transforms this street scene into a compelling study of social dynamics and urban adaptation. The photographer positions himself to capture both the explosive burst of water and the varied reactions of the children, some fully clothed despite the heat, others barely dressed for cooling.

This diversity reflects the economic hardships of Depression-era families where even summer clothing represented luxury.

The technical excellence of this gelatin silver print demonstrates Weegee's darkroom expertise during photography's golden age. The process, which dominated twentieth-century photography, allowed for the sharp contrasts and rich tonal range that characterize his work. The photographer used his signature 4x5 Speed Graphic camera, preset for rapid shooting in unpredictable street conditions.

Beyond mere documentation, Fire Hydrant reveals Weegee's evolution from crime photographer to social observer. While his nocturnal reputation centered on murders and disasters, daylight images like this showcase his sensitivity to everyday urban theater. The photograph anticipates his later artistic experiments while maintaining the immediacy that made him legendary among tabloid photographers.