Hans Graf Von Schwerin-löwitz 1918

Curator: This gelatin-silver print, "Hans Graf Von Schwerin-löwitz," was made in 1918 by Nicola Perscheid. The photograph presents a distinguished, older gentleman holding a cigar. Editor: It’s immediately striking how much tonal variation Perscheid achieves within the black and white medium. The depth created is incredible. Curator: It’s classic pictorialism, really. Look how the soft focus lends a certain dreamlike quality, while the realism provides detail. Beyond that, though, note how the Graf holds the cigar. It isn’t merely a gesture; it’s an emblem of status, a visual cue that connects him to the traditions of wealth and power of his class. Editor: Yes, and the diagonal of the cigar breaks the rigid verticality suggested by the long beard and severe gaze, giving the image some dynamic tension. There’s also the sharp contrast between his illuminated face and the soft, blurred background that draws your eye directly to his expression. It’s a brilliant compositional choice. Curator: The portrait speaks to me of German Expressionism and its concern with representing inner psychological states. He isn't merely showing us the man; he’s attempting to communicate a sense of inner character. There’s something intense, perhaps even troubled, lurking beneath the surface, which he is carefully crafting into his look, pose, and attire. Editor: And the framing reinforces that intensity. Perscheid doesn't give us a lot of breathing room; the Graf fills the frame, amplifying the visual impact of his gaze. We, as the viewers, have nowhere to run or hide from his presence. Curator: In truth, a formal reading enriches the work on a formal and iconographic level. It is impossible not to acknowledge the enduring influence of these portrait traditions in our ongoing dialogue about the nature of symbolism. Editor: Absolutely. The subtle choices in composition and tone add up to more than just a likeness. It suggests so much more depth to consider for anyone viewing the photograph.