Rebecca Salsbury Strand 1922

This silver print photograph titled, "Rebecca Salsbury Strand," was created by Alfred Stieglitz. The photograph presents a close-up of a woman, Rebecca Salsbury Strand, partially nude, holding her breasts. Stieglitz masterfully plays with light and shadow to sculpt the figure. Notice how the soft gradations of tone emphasize the roundness of her body. The composition is intimate, focusing on the sitter's gaze and the tactile quality of her skin. The cropping of the image pulls us into the subject's immediate space. The gaze is direct, challenging traditional notions of the passive female nude. This radical departure aligns with the avant-garde spirit of the early 20th century. Stieglitz’s interest in the psychological and emotional dimensions of his subject transcends the mere representation of form. It transforms the nude into a statement about female agency and artistic expression. Ultimately, Stieglitz uses formal elements to redefine beauty and challenge established norms.