Georgia O'Keeffe 1918

This photograph of Georgia O’Keeffe, with its intimate gaze, was captured by Alfred Stieglitz sometime in the early 20th century. What I find so striking is the way Stieglitz uses light and shadow to sculpt O'Keeffe's face, especially the stark contrast between the brim of her bowler hat and the soft glow on her skin. The image is monochrome, yet there's a richness in the tonal range, from the deep blacks of the hat to the gentle greys that define her features. Look at the way the light caresses her cheekbones, highlighting her intense eyes. There is such a palpable sense of intimacy, a quiet understanding between the artist and his muse. It's as though Stieglitz isn't just taking a photograph, but rather, he’s revealing a deeper truth about O’Keeffe's strength and vulnerability. It reminds me a bit of the portraits of women by Alice Neel, where the subject's inner life seems to emanate from the surface of the canvas. In both cases, the artists invite us to really see, not just look.