Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) 1885 - 1890

Editor: Here we have a mounted photograph by Pach Brothers, titled "Phillips Brooks (1835-1893)." It's a rather small piece. What do you see in it? Curator: I observe the meticulous tonal gradation achieved within the limited sepia palette. Consider the way the light models the sitter's face, how the varying densities of the emulsion create depth and volume. What do you make of the sitter's gaze? Editor: It's very direct, almost confrontational. I wonder what that says about the piece. Curator: Precisely. The gaze, in conjunction with the formal attire and the careful composition, suggests an assertion of authority and a carefully constructed public persona. It reveals much about the artist's intentions. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way, focusing on the deliberate arrangement rather than just the subject. Curator: A valuable lesson: the formal elements are never neutral.