The Red Man 1903

'The Red Man' is a photograph made by Gertrude Kasebier, using the platinum printing process characteristic of pictorialist photography in the early 20th century. Platinum prints like this one required a great deal of skill. The artist had to sensitize the paper with iron salts and platinum, expose it to light through a negative, and then develop and clear the print. The resulting image has a wide tonal range and a matte surface, due to the platinum particles being embedded in the paper rather than sitting on top of it. Kasebier's choice of process here is critical. The platinum print allowed her to create a soft, painterly effect, elevating photography to the status of fine art. The process also required a great deal of labor and attention, reflecting the values of the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized the importance of handcraftsmanship in an age of mass production. Kasebier’s engagement with the process is a testament to her artistic vision, challenging the boundaries between photography, craft, and fine art.