Richard Menshausen 1931

Alfred Stieglitz captured this small black and white photograph, titled "Richard Menshausen," using gelatin silver printing. The subject, a man with his back turned, evokes a sense of anonymity. His stance, the axe in his hand, the hat, all suggest a life of labor tied to the land. The image resonates with a particularly American mythology of the working man, a figure central to national identity. However, the man’s averted gaze raises questions about the realities of this identity. Stieglitz, through his artistic choices, seems to be inviting us to consider the complexities of rural labor, and the individual stories that are often overshadowed by broader cultural narratives. Ultimately, this photograph isn't just a portrait; it’s an invitation to reflect on the relationship between identity, labor, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we are as a society.