The Art of photography

ThePrinciplesat

Work:InPursuitofExcellence

Softlocusandsubtlegradationoftoneaidin

theexpressionofaclassicalsubject—twowomen

photographedtosuggesttheyarewatching

theburningofRomeInthepictonalisttradition

ofsimulating19thCenturypainting,the

photographersresponsetothesubjectishighly

romantic—

and

isexpressedinthelanguorous

poseofthewomen,thealmostliquidflow oftheir

gowns,andthelambentlight(presumably

fromflaminghouses)playingoverthescene.

Attheoppositepolefromromance,thepictureof

Welshcoalminersisallgrit,gnmnessand

hostility.Thegroupingofthemenagainstthe

backgroundoftheirrow housesseemstobelong

toa

traditionalsortoftimelessportraiture.Yet

therestlessnessoftheirmood,indicatedby

the

defiantcigaretteandtheavertedeyes,marks

theminersasprisonersoftheirtimeandplace

GEORGEHSEELEY.TheBurningofRome. 1906