Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) 1905

Editor: This is Gertrude Kasebier's photograph of Auguste Rodin. The sepia tones give it such a painterly feel, almost as if it's an impressionistic drawing. What strikes you about this image? Curator: I'm interested in the context of Kasebier’s practice. As a woman photographer working at the turn of the century, did she embrace commercial portraiture, or did she resist that, creating fine art prints? Her decision informs our understanding of her portrayal of Rodin. Editor: I hadn't considered the economic side of artmaking. That gives me a lot to think about! Curator: Exactly! Examining the means of production provides a clearer picture of the image’s historical significance.