Donald Davidson c. 1922

This is Alfred Stieglitz’s portrait of Donald Davidson, made with photography, a medium which, like painting, is all about mark making. Look at how Stieglitz coaxes light and shadow to reveal form. It’s kind of like he’s sculpting with light. The image isn’t about sharp, clinical detail; instead, the tonal gradations are beautifully soft and suggestive. There’s a palpable sense of depth, but it’s achieved through subtle variations in tone rather than stark contrast. Check out the way the light catches the ridge of Davidson’s nose, then softens into the hollow of his cheek. It is a simple curve but also somehow loaded with meaning. Stieglitz sees the way light animates a surface, transforming it into something expressive. His contemporary, Edward Steichen, was another photographer doing exciting work. Both artists helped photography find its place among the fine arts. I feel like art is always about conversations like these; the cross pollination of ideas, techniques, and visions.