Self-Portrait Possibly 1929 - 1978

Ralph Steiner's "Self-Portrait" is a powerful black and white photograph that captures the artist's self-awareness and his place in the world. Taken sometime between 1929 and 1978, the image shows Steiner standing in front of a billboard featuring a large, imposing figure, obscured by the billboard's tattered surface. Steiner holds a camera, highlighting his own presence and the act of photography itself, serving as a commentary on the nature of self-representation. The composition of the image, with its stark contrasts and use of shadows, adds to the introspective and almost melancholic tone of the self-portrait.