Portret van Robert Le Clair 1931

This portrait of Robert Le Clair was made anonymously, at an unknown date, using photography. You know, what strikes me about this photo is the directness of the gaze. I imagine this was a very straightforward and very still process – not a lot of room to mess around. I picture the artist setting up their equipment, checking the light, maybe a little small talk to put Robert at ease. He's wearing round tortoiseshell glasses, and his expression is serious, but there's something approachable about him. The lighting is pretty even, which gives the whole image a kind of unassuming quality. It's so matter-of-fact, but the clarity of the image gives a feeling of intimacy. It has a directness, and it feels important because we’re looking at someone who existed in the past. Every artist learns from those who came before, each adding their own voice to the conversation.