Carol in her Mother's Dress 1972 - 1974

Joan Cassis made this photograph, Carol in her Mother’s Dress, at an unknown date. It’s like a stage set, bathed in a nostalgic, hazy light. I'm drawn to how the gray tones flatten the space, making the textures stand out even more. Look at the lace on the dress, almost dissolving into the background, and the way the light catches the perfume bottle. There's something so tactile about these details. It’s as if the photograph is a memory, a fleeting moment captured in time. The composition and depth of field invites us into Carol's world, where the physical and emotional seem to merge. The stillness reminds me of some of the early portraits by Alice Neel, where the subjects seem caught between vulnerability and strength. It’s a quiet, powerful piece that embraces the ambiguity of identity and representation.