Charles Demuth 1915

Here is a gelatin silver print of Charles Demuth, captured by Alfred Stieglitz. The man looks out at us, arms folded, a stare that seems to hold a challenge, or maybe just an invitation. I wonder, what was it like to be in that room, under that light? What did Stieglitz say? I bet Demuth was nervous. And I’m wondering what kind of dance they had, with this image existing as evidence. The geometric shapes hanging on the wall behind him feel like a peek into his creative mind. I bet he was always processing the world like that. This feels like a nod to the ongoing conversation between artists and photographers. Stieglitz, with his camera, and Demuth, with his paintings, both capturing something essential about the world. They inspire each other's creativity. It’s a testament to how artists see each other, how they see themselves, and how we, the viewers, get to participate in the seeing.