The Congressmen: Barney Frank and Gerry Studds 1993

Nancy Andrews made this gelatin silver print, The Congressmen: Barney Frank and Gerry Studds, without a specific date, but the high-contrast monochrome gives it a timeless feel. It's like a snapshot, yet deeply considered. Look at the way Andrews uses light and shadow to sculpt the figures and the classical architecture behind them. The grain is palpable, each silver particle contributing to the overall texture, the image feels sharp and serious. I'm drawn to the contrast between the smooth, almost buttery quality of the architectural details and the more textured surfaces of the men’s suits and faces. This contrast makes me think about public and private personas, and the way we construct our identities. It reminds me of those stark portraits by photographers like Irving Penn, where every detail is rendered with such precision. Andrews is not just documenting; she's engaging in a conversation about power, representation, and the nature of seeing.