Gustav Von Schmoller 1908

Curator: Standing before us is a portrait of Gustav Von Schmoller, a photograph realized in 1908 by Nicola Perscheid. Editor: The deep blacks immediately strike me. It’s a very controlled light, almost sculpting his face from the shadows. There is a strong sense of texture too, you can almost feel the weight of his coat. Curator: Shadow, yes, a potent symbolic element. Think about it, shadow often signifies the subconscious, the hidden aspects of the self, even mystery or aging, wouldn't you agree? This image is about much more than Schmoller's external appearance. Editor: Perhaps. But I am thinking more of the processes that create such an effect. It makes me wonder about the chemicals, the specific photographic paper used… how much control Perscheid exerted over the development to get such dramatic chiaroscuro. Curator: And what of Schmoller himself? He projects authority. His beard, quite literally framing his face, speaks of wisdom and experience. Baldness too has become associated with knowledge. Editor: Certainly a powerful man is represented here, yes. But look at the set of his jaw, how carefully it is lit, and how sharp are the contours in contrast with the soft background. The entire thing feels meticulously constructed to create a particular effect on its audience. Photography was relatively new, after all; portraiture in that medium was vying for respect. Curator: I would add that his piercing gaze hints at profound understanding, a capacity to see beyond the surface, beyond what is merely visible. Perhaps into the very soul of society? His intellectual pursuits would have him study the depths of socioeconomics. Editor: Well, I've enjoyed thinking through this piece, considering both its subject and its making. Curator: As have I; a wonderful insight into not just an individual, but perhaps into an era's ambitions.