Margaret Mather
Margaret Mather
American, 1886-1952
Ballerina, 1917
Gelatin silver print
Snite Museum of Art, Walter R. Beardsley Endowment, 2016.018
Margaret Mather was a famous photographer who rose to prominence in a male-dominated era. Her undeniable talent was evident in her eye for detail and unique artistic visions— while her female counterparts at the time were confined to traditional gender norms, Maher carved her own professional path with her keen eye and attention to detail.
Her journey toward conventional success is representative of her unique nature– prior to becoming a photographer, it’s alleged that her primary source of income was prostitution. With her own sheer desire, she transformed her life and became a well-known figure in the photography world. Despite what would be deemed as a controversial past, she fearlessly walked in the direction of her dreams without societal or social considerations.
She developed a special working and personal relationship with fellow photographer Edward Weston— although it’s said he influenced her work, in reality, she influenced his work tremendously with her unique visions. Her talent was unignorable, and although Weston was more well-known in the photography sphere, her impact is undeniable. His work was yet another outlet for her talent.
As a woman entering this particular profession, she is representative of a larger movement: women demanding respect for their talent, regardless of gender. In reality, Maher’s gender might have even aided her success— some of her most successful pieces, such as The Maid of Arcady, depicted females in a vulnerable yet tasteful light. Perhaps this has nothing to do with her own womanhood, or perhaps it has everything to do with her womanhood— Maher used what appeared to be a disadvantage at the time to her own advantage.
Ballerina was photographed through pure experimentation— Maher assisted fellow portrait photographer Edward Weston in his studio, and the two often tried to revolutionize portraits. Instead of showing the subject as a whole facing the camera, the two displayed their subjects in different lights, often showing only fractions of the body or hiding the face.
In Ballerina, the subject’s back faces the camera. Her hands hold up the delicate skirt, and her head tilts down as if she’s caught in the act of dancing. This photo embodies both femininity and strength. The ballerina’s apparel and stance fit the societal standards of womanhood: dainty, graceful, and unassuming. However, she also holds a certain power— viewers of the photograph are left wondering who she is. In a way, omitting her face gives potency to the subject.