Photograph 1910

This photograph was made by Thomas Eakins sometime between the mid 19th and early 20th century. Eakins was interested in realism, in showing things as they are. Here, the photograph is a dance of light and dark. Her face is half in shadow. There is so much detail, you can see every line, every wrinkle, and every strand of hair. The gaze is intense but soft, looking off into the distance, capturing a moment of introspection. The background is dark and undefined, which makes the figure stand out. Photography, like painting, is a process, a conversation between the artist, the subject, and the materials. We think of photography as being objective, as truthful, but Eakins brings a subjective hand into the process. This reminds me of the later portraits of Alice Neel, who, like Eakins, was interested in capturing the inner lives of her subjects. Ultimately, it's a reminder that art is always open to interpretation.