Camera Work: A Photographic Quarterly (1907 (Heft 20))

almost as much as here, especially in Germany, where one can hardly pick
up a leading photographic magazine without finding in it a reproduction of
one of her photographs, or a reference to her work.
Her personality, almost as much as her artistic genius, has helped her
vastly to win the position she now holds. Among her patrons are numbered
people of all classes — from the most exclusive to the most democratic, from
the red beblanketed Indian to the class represented by a certain dainty
English lord, who writes pretty verses and indites notes on odd writing-paper,
antiquely folded and sealed. Many simply use photography as an excuse
to meet and converse with her, so well and favorably is she known. Were
her dress as smart as her wit, she would be one of the smartest-dressed
women in New York, with a dash of rich color about her costume; but
though known to have good taste in matters of dress, not even the most
fastidious think for a moment whether she be well or ill costumed. They
are conscious only of the marked personality—the keen, quick, snappy eyes,
the half-quizzical expression that often leaves in doubt whether she be joking
or serious, except when deeply moved, when that expression becomes almost
painfully tense ; a ready tongue, quick at repartee, rarely at a loss for a word,
whether the dulcies of blarney or the barbs of war.
Of medium size and rather inclined to fullness of figure, though by no
means stout; a countenance showing a strange blending of shrewdness and
guilelessness, joy and suffering; hands invariably stained with chemicals, for
she does practically all her work; utterly careless of dress or appearances,
and just as apt as not to emerge suddenly from the dark room into a group
of fashionably-dressed patrons with a cheery welcome, enveloped in a volu-
minous, badly stained developing apron, hair flying every way; face sometimes
streaked with dust and developer where she has made a pass to brush aside a
stray lock, that like its owner has rebelled at restraint; strongly individual,
highly imaginative, and emotional; nervous of temperament, energetic with
the energy of perpetual youth, for all that her hair is gray-streaked, and she
is a grandmother; impulsive, quick-witted, original, devoted to her art,
Gertrude Käsebier, painter by training, photographer by choice, member of
the Linked Ring, and a founder and Fellow of the Photo-Secession, and
recently created honorary member of the Camera Club of New York for her
distinguished services to pictorial photography, is one of the most striking
figures and vital forces in the entire professional photographic world.
Joseph T. Keiley.

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