Alfred Stieglitz XII, New York 1934

Dorothy Norman made this photograph, Alfred Stieglitz XII, in New York, using gelatin silver print to capture a moment in time. The image pulses with life, it’s all about light and shadow. It's about how the light glances off the lenses of Stieglitz's glasses, or how it catches the soft fabric of his sweater, creating a beautiful luminous moment. I love the way Norman captures every line and wrinkle of his face, each one telling a story. You can almost feel the weight of his thoughts, the experiences etched into his skin. It feels incredibly intimate, doesn't it? Like we're intruding on a private moment of contemplation. Norman really understands the power of simplicity. She doesn't need fancy equipment or complicated techniques to convey emotion. This reminds me a bit of the portraits of Alice Neel, capturing the essence of the sitter with honesty and vulnerability. Ultimately, it celebrates the beauty of imperfection, the richness of experience, and the power of human connection.