Rennie Booher, Danville, Virginia Possibly 1972 - 1979

Emmet Gowin made this black and white photograph, titled “Rennie Booher, Danville, Virginia” sometime during his career as a photographer. What would it have been like to take this picture? The image is intimate and confrontational. There's a kind of directness to it. The composition is striking, with the body positioned in the coffin, surrounded by soft fabric and flowers. The light coming from the window creates a stark contrast with the darkness. It's as if Gowin is trying to capture not just the physical presence of the deceased but something more profound. I can imagine Gowin working in the darkroom, carefully manipulating the tones to create the desired mood. The grainy texture adds a sense of immediacy. It’s a moment frozen in time. This image prompts us to confront our own mortality, and to reflect on the fleeting nature of life. Artists throughout time have been doing this, and the conversation continues...