Photograph 1910

This photograph was made by Thomas Eakins, but the date is unknown. Look at this composition, it’s all about contrast, stark blacks and whites, light and shadow, a chiaroscuro that's got a painterly feel. The image has a texture, an almost palpable graininess to it, especially in the dense foliage behind the figure. It makes me think about the materiality of photography itself. Notice how the light defines the contours of the figure's body, creating highlights and shadows that emphasize her form against the dark background? See the way the light catches on her shoulder, creating a bright, almost abstract shape that draws your eye. It reminds me of Manet, how he could use a single stroke of paint to capture the essence of light and form. Photography is such a conversation, isn't it? Always referencing and building upon what came before. Anyway, it's nice to be reminded that art can embrace multiple interpretations.