Käthe Haack 1919

Nicola Perscheid took this photograph of Käthe Haack sometime in the early 20th century, and right away, I’m struck by the way it captures a very particular moment. It’s not just a static portrait, it feels like she is alive. Look at how the light seems to be playing on her face, especially around the eyes and her slightly mischievous smile. There’s a certain softness to the whole image, from the delicate feathered edges of her hat to the gentle curve of her arm as it rests on the chair. Perscheid clearly uses light and shadow to sculpt the photograph, to create a sense of depth and volume. It’s like he’s painting with light, carefully building up layers of tone to reveal the character of his subject. Her glance is directed slightly off-camera which gives the impression of her being in conversation. The photo reminded me a little of Nadar, the way he captured Parisian personalities. Ultimately, this portrait is a reminder that art is really about capturing a feeling, an essence, rather than just a likeness.