Jean Toomer 1925

Alfred Stieglitz made this portrait of Jean Toomer at an unknown date with his camera. The light in this photo is everything. It’s not just illuminating Toomer’s face, but it’s like it’s revealing something about him. The way Stieglitz plays with light and shadow, it’s almost like he’s painting with light. Look at the way the light catches the side of his face, and the way his eyes are gazing upwards. It reminds me of a painter trying to capture a fleeting moment, trying to freeze something that’s constantly in motion. It's the same alchemy that painters play with, just with different materials. Stieglitz was part of this amazing artistic conversation, not just with photographers but painters like Marsden Hartley, who explored similar themes of identity and place. Ultimately, art is a conversation, and this image is a beautiful contribution to that ongoing dialogue.