Thinkrates, the Philosopher c. 1922

Editor: This drawing is "Thinkrates, the Philosopher" by Edward Steichen, created around 1922. The color palette and geometric shapes create an interesting abstract image. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Immediately, I am struck by how Steichen, known primarily as a photographer, invokes a dialogue between symbolism and abstraction here. "Thinkrates," clearly meant to evoke Socrates, is reduced to geometric forms. Doesn’t that blue disc above the sharp angles representing the head feel almost like a disembodied idea? Editor: It does, a bit! What's the significance of that choice, to make such a famous philosopher so abstract? Curator: Perhaps it's about stripping away the specific individual to arrive at the pure essence of thought, or philosophy. De Stijl, a major influence on the piece, aimed to reach a universal, objective beauty through pure abstraction. Editor: So the philosopher as an idea, rather than a specific person. The yellow field at the bottom--does that contribute to that symbolism? Curator: Indeed. The earth, or perhaps, a grounding reality, against which the abstract 'thinker' engages with ideas, represented by the blue atmosphere. The sharp lines evoke rationality, contrasting the grounding element of raw colour. Editor: That makes sense. So it's not just shapes and colours, but a commentary on thinking itself! Curator: Precisely! Steichen’s reduction pushes us to ponder philosophy itself rather than a philosopher. And for me, that reveals the core tension and harmony between grounded reality and intellectual aspiration. Editor: That’s a very helpful perspective. Now I see that abstract art can carry quite some meaningful, interpretable symbolism. Curator: And, importantly, it reveals that symbolism in abstract art is not necessarily imposed, but emerges through thoughtful construction of forms.