It’s time for another picture by the Wonderful Arnold Genthe! I like to show his pictures every once in a while like a periodic miracle of nature, in the manner of Halley’s Comet or a solar eclipse.
Many of you know I’m a major admirer of Arnold Genthe’s photography. I don’t have any special knowledge about photography but I love his work. His pictures are very moving.
This picture caught my eye but at first I didn’t realize it was Mr. Genthe’s work because I’m used to looking at his autochrome work. But you see his black and white work is beautiful too!
This picture was “the most severely criticized print of the Salon” in 1900, but I haven’t read why that was yet. I can’t imagine, can you?
old spirituals 
I know nothing of Mr. Genthe or his work. Nonetheless, this photo is very alluring. The black background combined with the pose and subject’s attire are artistically superb. The outstretched arms, especially the bare left one, draws the eye upward to the face.
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You describe it perfectly! I know you’ve probably seen some other posts here about Mr. Genthe’s autochrome photographs. Off the top of my head, this is my favorite one https://oldspirituals.com/2022/08/11/juxtaposing-autochrome-americana-and-anachronism/
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Study of Black Drapery reads more of a painting than a photograph. Genthe has a touch to make an average looking woman into a beautiful study.
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Yes he does! He had a gift for bringing out the beauty in the overlooked and ordinary!
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