Portrait of Josephine Baker 1925

Editor: This is Adolph de Meyer’s "Portrait of Josephine Baker," a photograph from 1925. Baker’s expression is so captivating, almost mischievous. What do you see in this piece, especially considering the era it was made? Curator: It's impossible to look at this photograph without considering the complex interplay of race, gender, and representation in the 1920s. De Meyer, photographing Baker, is engaging in a dynamic of power. How does the artistic gaze, particularly a white male gaze, contribute to or challenge stereotypes of Black women during that time? Think about Baker's persona, and the agency she asserted, even within constraints. Editor: That's a really interesting point about the gaze. I hadn’t thought about it in terms of power dynamics so explicitly, but it makes perfect sense given the historical context. Do you think Baker was aware of that dynamic as she was being photographed? Curator: Absolutely. Baker was a performer, keenly aware of her image and how it was being consumed. The question becomes, how much control did she have over that image, and to what extent did she subvert expectations? The Art Deco style often exoticized non-Western cultures. To what degree does that play into the composition and feel? It makes us consider themes around colonialism, cultural appropriation, and self-expression, right? Editor: Definitely. Seeing the image through that lens makes it much more complicated and thought-provoking. I initially just saw the expression and lighting; I’m now aware of the social context that has really changed my interpretation. Curator: Exactly! Analyzing those intersecting historical factors gives us an enhanced perspective to challenge normative perceptions.