Miss N (Portrait of Evelyn Nesbit) 1903

Here's a photograph made by Gertrude Kasebier, it's titled Miss N (Portrait of Evelyn Nesbit). It’s a monochrome photograph, where the tones cascade from light to dark, gently shaping the figure of the subject. Evelyn sits, gazing outwards. I wonder what it must have been like to be in Kasebier's studio, in front of her lens. Was there a feeling of mutual observation and respect? What does it mean to be looked at, not in a lurid way, but with the intention of capturing something of one's essence? The tones are subdued, but the textures are so rich. You can almost feel the softness of her dress, the weight of her hair, the smoothness of the prop she holds. I like to think about how artists, then and now, look to each other for inspiration and support, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in their respective mediums. It's an ongoing conversation, a relay race of creativity.