Virgin [verso] 1933

Paul Strand made this photograph, Virgin, sometime in the early twentieth century. What I find so engaging is the image’s tonal range, the way it moves from the almost mirror-like highlights on the Virgin’s face, to the velvety blacks of the background. I’m drawn to the way that Strand coaxes so much from such a limited palette. The light almost seems to glow from within the figure. Think about how the folds of her veil catch the light, creating soft, blurred edges that contrast with the sharper details of her face. In this way the image is both ethereal and very solid, like a memory that is just out of reach. Strand’s work reminds me of the paintings of Edward Hopper, particularly in the way that both artists use light to create a sense of drama and psychological depth. Ultimately, this photograph is a testament to the power of seeing, how even the simplest of subjects can hold a wealth of meaning and emotion.