St. Gabriel, Louisiana 12 - 2000

"St. Gabriel, Louisiana" is a 2000 photograph by Deborah Luster. The image depicts a young Black woman, her back to the camera, looking over her shoulder at the viewer. The photograph is printed in a warm, sepia tone and is reminiscent of 19th-century tintypes, further emphasizing the historical context of Luster's work. The image's intimate scale, with its close-up view of the subject, creates a feeling of immediacy and connection with the viewer, drawing attention to the subject’s vulnerability and stoic beauty. Luster's photographic series exploring the history of African Americans in the South, particularly Louisiana, often uses historical tintype techniques to highlight the resilience of Black people in the face of racism and adversity.