The photographer is to the left of the scene, slightly off centre, we don’t know if the subject is aware of their presence. The size of the print is 6×6 which adds to it’s distinct vintage look.
The subject sits in monochrome at a beaten up piano with a look of intense concentration. His right hand rests lightly on the mid range white keys – we are led to believe he attempting to play a score from an out of frame music stand.
He is dressed in a dark suit jacket with regular width lapels, three kissing buttons on the sleeve, a fully done up white shirt and an impeccably knotted striped tie. The jacket is closed at the first button. A white pocket square in the correct spot peeks out from behind his left arm.
In his left hand he holds a small white coffee mug. I assume it holds Joe not whiskey. He sports a dark, classic short brim fedora with a huge contrasting colour checkered band around the crown. This hat is a sign of his audacity in that era, a link with the Mafia and a silent testament of power and defiance.
On the chair next to him is a check sports jacket that clashes with his suit. It hints at another person having just left the scene to ensure the picture is of him alone.
We see the left side of his chiselled jaw profile, a very short black hair cut is just visible above his ear, the rest of his head hidden by the hat. His wedding band is clearly visible on the correct finger. That and his youthful face make me think the picture is taken in the mid 1950’s during his tumultuous six year marriage to Ava Gardner.
The formality of his dress together with the condition of the keyboard made me wonder if this was captured during an actual studio rehearsal or a photo shoot set up. A quick internet search now reveals he could neither read music or play the piano. What a poser. No wonder I was drawn to emulate him.
King Frankie Sinatra (aka Fisch) London
FebulousFebruary 2026: The Old Photograph 
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