Georgia O'Keeffe 1935

Alfred Stieglitz made this gelatin silver print, ‘Georgia O’Keeffe,’ which is a portrait of the artist of the same name. Stieglitz seems to me to be interested in the ways that light and shadow play across the surface of the world, creating depth and texture even in a monochrome image. I’m drawn to the way the light catches the planes of O’Keeffe’s face, and the subtle gradations in tone that define her features. You can see the texture of the wooden chair she sits on, and the way the light filters through the window behind her. I love the way the image focuses on O’Keeffe's expression, capturing a sense of quiet determination and strength, and her clasped hands suggest a sense of inner resolve. The image, as a whole, makes me think of other portraitists such as Alice Neel who were interested in the psychological depths of their sitters. Art is always a conversation, isn’t it?