Gasparetti Baptism, Martins Creek, Pennsylvania 1979

Larry Fink made this photograph, Gasparetti Baptism, Martins Creek, Pennsylvania, sometime in the 20th century, capturing a seemingly private moment. Look at how the light falls unevenly, creating this dramatic contrast that pulls you right into the scene. It’s like Fink wasn’t just taking a picture but setting a stage, and we’ve all got front-row seats. The texture of the photograph feels palpable, you can almost touch the softness of the baby’s skin or the rough fabric of the older boy’s shirt. I am really drawn to the way the light catches the baby’s face, making those big eyes pop, and those tiny toes! It is a moment of pure, unguarded being, surrounded by the ever-watchful eyes of family. Fink has an eye for these kinds of intimate moments that often go unseen. Fink, like Diane Arbus, shows us the beautiful and sometimes awkward realities of being human. There’s a truth in his work that isn’t always comfortable, but it’s always compelling. It reminds us that art, at its best, holds a mirror up to life, showing us reflections we might otherwise miss.