Incredible oversized 48.5 x 39 chromogenic print of Sean Hemmerle's photograph entitled 'Brooks Brothers, September 12, 2001,' showing the devastation outside the NYC menswear retailer on the day after the September 11th terrorist attacks, framed by fallen shirts, with Hemmerle's signature, copyright, and date on the reverse (covered by the frame's backing). Framed to an overall size of 51 x 41. In fine condition, with some small corner damage to the frame.
Sean Hemmerle (b. 1966) is a New York based photographer whose work ranges from international conflict zones to deserted industrial towns in the United States. Reflecting on his 9/11 photographs in an essay called 'The Law of Unexpected Consequences,' Hemmerle writes: 'To photograph the World Trade Center burning and eventually collapsing was the most profound experience of my life to date…I eventually made my way to Brooks Brothers. On the corner of Liberty and Church, it was across the street from the WTC. From inside the store, one could see the steel skin that had once been the upper floors of the south tower. I remember holding my breath while taking the few frames that were to become 'The Brooks Brothers Picture.' The store was mostly dark, only a few emergency lights were working. The predominant light was filtering in from banks of construction lights set up outside to aid emergency workers. Empty ambulances were parked at the curb. Most of the windows had been blown in from the force of the implosion. All color was muted by the ubiquitous grey dust. I held my breath to steady the camera, a half second at f5.6, slowly aiding gravity to settle my index finger onto the shutter release, and repeated the zen exercise a few more times to allow for bracketing.'
