Marsden Hartley 1916

This is Alfred Stieglitz's portrait of Marsden Hartley. You know, the way Stieglitz has captured Hartley’s gaze – it’s as though he's inviting you into his thoughts. It's moody and striking. You can almost feel the texture of Hartley’s scarf and hat, the weight of the fabric. Stieglitz was a master at using light to sculpt the face, to reveal character. I can't help but think of Hartley, a painter himself, sitting for Stieglitz. What were they talking about? Art? Life? I imagine there was a lot of conversation about the possibilities of modernism and the role of the artist. This photograph feels like a moment of exchange between two artists, each contributing to the other's vision, both dedicated to their practice.