Georgia O'Keeffe 1918

Alfred Stieglitz made this gelatin silver print, titled 'Georgia O'Keeffe', sometime in the first half of the 20th century. Stieglitz's mastery of photography is evident in the way he coaxes a range of tones from a seemingly limited palette of blacks, whites, and grays. It's like he's painting with light, revealing the contours and textures of O'Keeffe's face with incredible sensitivity. If you look closely at the details around her eyes, you can see how Stieglitz plays with focus to soften the image, creating a dreamy, almost ethereal quality. The light catches the subtle planes of her face, emphasizing her cheekbones and the curve of her brow. It’s all about the surface. I'm reminded of the portraits of artists made by Alice Neel, not only in the intimacy of the images but also in the way that both artists seemed to be interested in peering beneath the surface of their subjects. Ultimately, like any great work, this photograph defies easy interpretation, inviting us to bring our own experiences to the viewing process.