The Manger (Ideal Motherhood), American, 1899

The portrait “The Manger” (Ideal Motherhood) by Gertrude Kasabier (1899) is one that I found particularly effective. The different techniques used in the photograph are effectively intertwined to create a compelling and unique portrait. The shadowing and lighting choices that Kasabier chooses to accent allow the central figures in the portrait to stand out, creating a more clear focus and draw towards them. The way that the mother figure stands out from the darker background in her white/light colored robes creates a well balanced photograph. Included in the title is the subtitle “Ideal Motherhood” and by wearing lighter colors against the dark and shadowed background, Kasabier is able to capture the mother as an almost angelic figure. The overall composition of the image allows the true beauty and balance of the photo to truly stand out. Overall, the use of shapes, shadowing, color scale, and a number of other techniques, make this photo a particularly effective one that immediately stood out to me.