The photograph titled “Man on Hoisting Ball” was captured by artist Lewis Hine during the construction of the Empire State Building. The black and white image depicts a scene of industrial prowess and human courage, showcasing a worker perched precariously on a massive hoisting ball attached to a complex system of steel pulleys and cables. The man featured is shirtless, suggesting the intensity of labor and heat of the day, wearing what appears to be work trousers and a belt, while wielding a heavy tool. His muscles are tensed as he performs his task high above the ground, emphasizing the physicality of the labor involved in constructing one of the most iconic skyscrapers of the 20th century. The surrounding framework provides a sense of scale and underscores the dizzying heights at which these workers operated.
