Mercedes de Cordoba c. 1900

Joseph T. Keiley created this photograph, titled "Mercedes de Cordoba," using a photogravure process sometime around the turn of the 20th century. Keiley was part of the Photo-Secession movement, spearheaded by Alfred Stieglitz, which advocated for photography to be recognized as a fine art. This artistic positioning clashed with the prevailing view of photography as a purely documentary medium. The movement gained momentum during an era defined by significant shifts in artistic and social norms, where the role of art institutions was being vigorously debated. The portrait of Mercedes de Cordoba, with its soft focus and thoughtful composition, embodies the pictorialist aesthetic, emphasizing artistic expression over sharp realism. Through publications like "Camera Work," Stieglitz and his circle worked to establish photography within a broader context of fine art. By studying the historical context and the institutional dynamics of the art world at the time, we can better understand the challenges faced by Keiley and his contemporaries, and appreciate the cultural work that this image performs.