Catherine Moton Patterson Possibly 1936 - 1981

Prentice H. Polk made this photograph of Catherine Moton Patterson, we don't know exactly when, but its the kind of image that could be from almost anytime in the 20th century. The tones of the photograph are incredibly rich, ranging from deep blacks to silvery grays, which gives a real sense of depth and texture to the image. Look how the light catches the harp's strings, making them shimmer like a waterfall. It is such a tactile image, I can almost feel the coolness of the metal against my fingertips. The way the shadows play across Patterson's lace dress and the harp’s ornate carvings creates a beautiful dance of light and dark. Polk’s work reminds me a bit of James Van Der Zee, another photographer who captured the Black experience with such dignity and grace. But Polk has his own distinct style. I think of how both artists show us that art is just people looking at other people, and trying to find some kind of common language to describe what they see.