Woman at the Great Window (Photographer unknown)

[Graham Barnes]

I bought this framed photograph (print 283 x 232 mm) a week or so before Covid-19 locked us down and it has been propped against a wall in my study waiting for me to decide what to do with it.

I was initially drawn to its 1950s-ish B&W compositional style of abstract lines and blocks of light and shade but I found the subject matter somewhat enigmatic ... what's happening here? I describe it as "woman sitting silhouetted in a large prison-like window with ranks of low buildings in the middle distance".

Having now removed it from its frame (scanned and lightly cleaned the minor scratches and blotches of time) the pencilled inscriptions on the back are as follows:-

117 Stephenson Way
Corby
Northants

Pictorial
[Boots Picture Framing Department Ref. No.:-1/4640/650]
(1) Photo Great Window

I would like to be able to identify (1) the photographer, (2) the location and then that might lead me to (3) information about "what's happening here?". Any suggestions?

[C Whelan]

https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/features/corby-steel-town A few films on the BFI website might shed some light. Corby was also declared a New Town in 1950 and underwent huge development so that might be a direction to look into. Good luck!

[Dr. Joe Rock]

I agree with Geoff, a sort of Bauhaus feel to the architecture. What an intriguing image.

[Geoff Lowe]

This image has the feel of Eastern Europe before the second world war. The view through the window looks like an encampment. Corby was a steel town with many workers coming from Scotland and possibly further afield. 

Its a lovely picture.