Summer Sleep, New York

Jean Burkhalter's 'Summer Sleep, New York' is a stunning example of the dye imbibition print process, a technique prized for its rich, saturated colors and exceptional permanence. Created in 1949, this work captures a moment of urban repose during the post-war era when New York was establishing itself as the world's cultural capital. Burkhalter, who was 54 at the time, was also known for his fashion photography—particularly his striking portraits of model Jean Patchett around this same period, several of which are also in the Art Institute's collection. The dye imbibition process, often called 'dye transfer,' allowed photographers to achieve painterly control over color, making each print a carefully crafted object rather than a simple reproduction. This technical mastery is evident in the work's preservation and re-printing in 1984, speaking to its enduring visual impact. The title suggests a quiet, intimate scene—perhaps someone escaping the summer heat in a city apartment, a universal New York experience. Burkhalter's ability to move between commercial fashion work and more personal, atmospheric images demonstrates the fluid boundaries between art and commerce in mid-century photography.