Alfred Stieglitz 1933

Here we have a photograph of Alfred Stieglitz, made by Dorothy Norman sometime in the early to mid twentieth century. Stieglitz, the great promoter of modern art in America, is presented here in a very direct and simple manner. The image is black and white, with a full tonal range, but it’s the textures that catch my eye. The herringbone of his jacket, the bristling mustache, the way the light bounces off his spectacles: the surface of this image has a real tactile quality. Norman is a careful observer, registering the world with sensitivity and grace. Look at the way the lapel of the jacket falls, catching the light to create a distinct triangular shape. It’s a small detail, but it brings a certain geometry to the composition, offsetting the soft, organic forms of Stieglitz’s face. I’m reminded of the photography of someone like Paul Strand, who also had an interest in everyday subjects and geometric abstraction. And, like all good art, this image leaves you with questions rather than answers. What was Stieglitz thinking? What was it like to be in the room with these two artists? It's all wonderfully unknowable.