[The Averted Head - A Study in Flesh Tones] 1899

"The Averted Head - A Study in Flesh Tones" (1899), a small-scale photogravure by American photographer Joseph T. Keiley, depicts the back of a woman's head and shoulders, her face turned away from the viewer. The soft, blurred focus and muted tones of the image contribute to a sense of intimacy and mystery. This piece, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, exemplifies Keiley's mastery of the photogravure process, capturing subtle variations in light and shadow.