Lehigh University
Art Architecture and Design
113 Research Drive
Building C
Bethlehem, PA 18015

Greg, Portrait

Portrait Photography

Gertrude Kasebier, Portrait of Baron de Meyer at Newport, Rhode Island, 1903

The portrait of Baron de Meyer by Gertrude Kasebier displays a young man leaning against a tree to utilize its shade. The man looks quite exhausted and despaired. The artist utilized a short depth of field to put the man and the tree in focus, while blurring the background and leaves. I found this portrait to be very effective due to the utilization of depth of field and the emotion displayed within the photograph. It seems to me that the man is just exhausted with life and is struggling to move on. I think that often traditional portrait photography is intended to glorify the subject, while this photograph shows his true emotions.

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