Claudia O'Keeffe 1922

Here we have Alfred Stieglitz's intimate photograph of Claudia O'Keeffe, captured with a directness that transcends mere representation. The gaze is the key here. Direct and unflinching, it echoes the ancient Roman tradition of portraiture, where the eyes were believed to be the window to the soul. This motif, deeply ingrained in our collective memory, appears across cultures and eras, from classical sculptures to Renaissance paintings. Think of the Fayum mummy portraits, their eyes wide with the expectation of the afterlife. Yet, in Stieglitz’s image, the gaze is not confrontational but rather invites introspection. It draws us into a dialogue, stirring something deep within our subconscious. This image doesn't just show us a person; it reflects our own vulnerability. And so, we return to the cyclical nature of symbols, how they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, revealing the enduring power of the human image across the corridors of time.