The Ranchman 1901

Rudolf Eickemeyer made this photographic portrait, called 'The Ranchman', at some point in his career. It's mounted on layered card. Look at the way he uses light to define the contours of the Ranchman's face. It's soft, almost like he's sculpting with light rather than just capturing an image. I love how the tones shift and blend, almost like watercolor washes. You can almost feel the texture of his weathered skin and that magnificent beard. There’s an area just under his hat where the light fades into shadow. It reminds me of a Rothko painting, how it creates a sense of depth and mystery. It's all about feeling, capturing a mood, and letting the viewer fill in the blanks. For me, this feels very close to the portrait photography of Julia Margaret Cameron who was working a little earlier. It’s proof that art is a conversation, always building, always responding.