The Boss Possibly 1932 - 1981

This photograph, 'The Boss,' was made by Prentice H. Polk, though there is no exact date it was made. Look closely at the way he uses light, almost like paint, to reveal her face. It’s all about the process of seeing and showing. The texture here is amazing! From the smooth wrap on her head to the tight knit of her sweater, Polk shows us the realness of the world. He finds something painterly in the way light hits her skin, softening it, but also making her look strong. Her hands, resting firmly on her hip, give her such presence, as does her direct gaze. Think about what Henri Matisse was doing around the same time; a similar, but different, approach to the figure! Polk and Matisse both invite us into a conversation, not just about the subject, but about how we see and feel. It's art as a constant exchange, always open to new views.