The Oracle Possibly 1949 - 1982

This is a black and white photograph, ‘The Oracle’ by John Gutmann. I am immediately drawn to the delicate veil with its polka dots and tiny flowers, partially obscuring the face of the figure, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. It makes me think of the sitter as a kind of seer or prophet, someone who can see beyond the veil of reality. I wonder, who is she leaning on? A confidante? The high contrast of the black and white medium adds to the drama of the image, accentuating the textures and details of the veil and the figures’ features. It reminds me a little of Man Ray's surrealist photographs – I'm curious about the interplay between light and shadow and the way it shapes our perception. It is a really strange combination of textures and meanings!