Mrs. Stieffel 1921

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph, Mrs. Stieffel, at an unknown date. The tones are gorgeous, a symphony of browns and creams. I can feel Stieglitz behind the camera, patiently waiting for the right moment to capture Mrs. Stieffel knitting. Her finger is resting on her chin; her expression almost playful. What was she thinking? Maybe she was contemplating her next stitch, or a memory, a joke, or a secret. I imagine Stieglitz and Mrs. Stieffel collaborating on this portrait, both contributing to the composition. The photograph has a painterly quality, reminiscent of old master portraits. There’s a sense of intimacy and connection between the artist and his subject. They are engaged in a conversation, a silent exchange of ideas. We artists, we're all in conversation, riffing off of each other, inspiring each other's creativity across time. This photograph embraces ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations, so that its meaning is never fixed.