Jean Toomer 1925

Alfred Stieglitz made this silver print of Jean Toomer sometime in the early 20th century. Photography had become increasingly widespread, yet Stieglitz championed it as a fine art form through its processes. This small print shows the mastery he had over the medium. The tones range from deep blacks to bright whites, rendered with exquisite nuance. Beyond the technical skill, consider how photography democratized portraiture. Before, only the wealthy could afford to have their likeness captured by a painter. With photography, a wider range of people could participate in this form of representation. Stieglitz's portrait of Toomer, a writer associated with the Harlem Renaissance, speaks to this shift. By emphasizing the material and social context of photography, we recognize its complex role in shaping our understanding of art and representation, challenging any lingering distinctions between art and craft.