Georgia O'Keeffe—Hands 1919

Editor: Alfred Stieglitz's photographic portrait "Georgia O'Keeffe—Hands," taken in 1919, is, well, surprisingly intimate. It’s moody and almost a little haunting, with the focus solely on these hands emerging from darkness. It feels very personal. What do you see in this piece, particularly as a portrait? Curator: For me, it's an incredibly sensual image. The hands, overlapping, intertwining, feel like lovers in an embrace. It reminds me of poetry. It's more than just a portrait of Georgia O’Keeffe; it's about their relationship. Think about Stieglitz, his approach—always striving for pure expression. It's interesting how the body part, often depersonalized, becomes intensely personal here. Doesn’t it feel like a love letter in grayscale? Editor: I see what you mean about the intimacy and how that creates something deeper than a simple portrait. But why hands? I mean, the human figure could represent a multitude of different aspects about a person. What does he represent by just focusing on the hands of Georgia O'Keefe? Curator: I’d say he wants to suggest touch, connection, creative energy...hands that *make*. He avoids a straightforward likeness. By focusing on the hands, Stieglitz makes O’Keefe tangible. The photo hints at something unspoken, raw and full of passion. Hands at work can be deeply evocative. Do you agree or is it too abstract? Editor: I do, I do, but it initially seemed a bit… incomplete. Now, thinking about what it conveys without showing her face feels intentional, almost defiant of traditional portraiture. Curator: Precisely. It’s about stripping things down to their essence. Editor: Thanks, I have a newfound appreciation for just how complex a single part of the body can be in representing a person.