[Lyonel Feininger] 1930 - 1931

Editor: This intriguing photograph, "Lyonel Feininger" by Andreas Feininger, presents a high-contrast profile. The starkness feels very deliberate. What social or historical context might have shaped Feininger’s approach to portraiture? Curator: Think about the power dynamics inherent in portraiture, especially in a time when photography was becoming more accessible. Who had the power to represent whom, and what messages were conveyed through those representations? Consider how gender, class, and race might intersect with the act of creating and viewing this portrait. Editor: So, the photograph isn't just a likeness, it's making a statement about who is seen, and how they're seen? Curator: Precisely. It challenges us to consider whose stories are told and whose are marginalized in the visual record, and what biases might be present. Editor: Thank you, that gives me a lot to think about regarding representation and power!