Untitled (bust length portrait of balding older man with beard) 1879 - 1891

Editor: Here we see an untitled bust-length portrait by James Notman from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a photograph of an older man, and I’m really struck by the almost ghostly way he seems to emerge from the background. What catches your eye about this piece? Curator: The tonal range is quite limited, compressing the pictorial space. Notice how the subtle gradations in light model the face, contrasting the smooth expanse of the forehead with the textured beard. It’s a study in contrasts, isn’t it? Editor: It is! The limited palette almost makes it feel like a drawing. I see how the composition guides the eye right to the man’s face. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. The artist employs a sophisticated understanding of light and shadow. Considering its formal qualities has enriched my appreciation.