Abraham Walkowitz 1916

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph of Abraham Walkowitz at an unknown date using gelatin silver print. The composition feels classic and yet deeply considered, like a snapshot but with the soul of a portrait. The tonal range is so rich, a symphony of grays that make you feel like you could step right into the scene. Look how Stieglitz captures the texture of Walkowitz's suit, almost palpable, while his face emerges from the shadows, etched with lines of thought and experience. The soft focus around the edges pulls you in, creating an intimate space between the viewer and the subject. It is interesting to consider this next to some of the portraits made by Alice Neel; both sought to convey the emotional and psychological state of the sitter, with a commitment to representing the truth of human experience. There’s a real sense of art being a conversation across time, echoing and responding.