Ophelia, Nashville, Tennessee c. 1932 - 1960

Louise Dahl-Wolfe made this photograph, Ophelia, Nashville, Tennessee, using gelatin silver. The deep blacks and bright whites give the picture a graphic quality. Light appears as a kind of active ingredient, revealing the textures of skin, fabric, and foliage. The composition is striking. There's a large plant leaf on the left, its smooth surface contrasting with the lines on Ophelia's face and dress. That tilted angle creates a dynamic tension. I'm drawn to the way Dahl-Wolfe captures a sense of interiority, making you wonder about Ophelia's thoughts and experiences. The image evokes something similar to a painting by Alice Neel, both seem interested in the power of representation and the emotional depths of their subjects. Both artists invite us to see the world through a lens of empathy and connection.