"Bess" c. 1900 - 1910

This photograph, titled "Bess", by an anonymous artist captures a baby held against a patterned backdrop. The tones in this photograph are very soft and gentle, a study in blacks, whites, and grays. There is something so intriguing about old photographs, isn’t there? This image, despite its simplicity, offers a window into another time. The patterned fabric behind the baby has a gorgeous swirling texture, almost like a landscape in itself, in opposition to the baby’s smooth and open face. It's hard to tell what the relationship of the photographer is to the subject, the fact that the author is unknown is perhaps what makes this piece so captivating. We as the viewer bring our own narrative. The image feels so tactile, it really makes me think of artists like Gertrude Käsebier, who elevated photography to an art form. These early photographers, similar to painters, were really exploring how to capture a moment and evoke an emotional response. They embraced the soft focus and the imperfections, just as we do in painting. The whole process, the imperfections, everything becomes part of the conversation.