Gene Davis, Washington, D.C. Possibly 1978 - 1980

Editor: Here we have Rosalind Solomon’s gelatin silver print, "Gene Davis, Washington, D.C.," possibly from 1978-1980. It's a striking portrait, intense and introspective. What visual echoes or meanings jump out at you? Curator: This portrait certainly possesses a contemplative mood. I notice the hand supporting his chin, a classical gesture that implies deep thought or perhaps even a weariness. How does this echo the larger artistic themes present in Davis’ work? Editor: That's a great question. He was a color field painter, and there isn't a lot of explicit symbolism that I know of. Curator: Consider the symbolic weight of baldness itself in various cultures throughout history – a signifier of intellect, defiance, or vulnerability. Do you notice it creating a dialogue with the sharp, almost architectural lines formed by his eyebrow? Editor: Yes, it emphasizes the gaze. But are we maybe projecting meaning where there isn't any? Isn't this just a straightforward portrait? Curator: A portrait is never *just* a portrait. The artist chooses a pose, a setting, to convey something. This black and white image creates stark contrast, further highlighting those architectural lines. Does that severe contrast perhaps relate to the precision and deliberateness of color field painting? Editor: I didn’t consider that parallel before, but it's fascinating to consider the portrait as mirroring Gene Davis' broader artistic identity through these formal qualities. Curator: Indeed, visual languages are rarely simple—they layer, intersect, and sometimes even contradict each other to create a lasting impression on cultural memory. Editor: This has completely changed how I'll view portraits from now on! Thanks!