Storyville by E.J. Bellocq; The prostitutes of New Orleans

"After the death of E. J. Bellocq (1873-1949), most of his work was destroyed. However, a collection of glass negatives was later found concealed in a sofa. These were photographs of prostitutes who worked in the legalised brothels of Storyville around 1912 (Storyville was the prostitution district of New Orleans, Louisiana, from 1897 through 1917). Some were nude, some dressed respectably, others posed as if acting a mysterious narrative. In 1971 a selection of the photographs were published in a book entitled Storyville Portraits. They had been made into distinctive prints by Lee Friedlander, using the whole of the negatives. These photographs were immediately acclaimed for their unique poignancy and beauty.
Music by Miles Davis, 'Blue in Green'"