Kiki (Smith)

In this intimate daguerreotype, the artist Kiki Smith gazes directly at us, her face filling the frame. The sharpness of her features, particularly her eyes, is striking, a hallmark of this early photographic process. Daguerreotypes, made on a polished silver surface, create a mirror-like effect, inviting a unique kind of self-reflection from the viewer. Here, the artist's face is rendered with an almost scientific precision, yet there's a softness to the light that sculpts her expression. This work, made in 2000, reflects a fascination with the human face and photographic realism that characterized much of the maker's output, even as he explored diverse media. The shallow depth of field isolates Smith, drawing all attention to the subtle textures of her skin and hair, and the directness of her gaze.