A solitary dancer in a simple square, folds in a series of triangles. Her face is downturned, eyes closed, showing solitude and peace within. One hand grasps a tucked ankle, the other mimics the pointed toes of her foot. The black and white nude dancer photograph is collectively modest, sensuous, and serene. The composition is unified by the repetition of angles. Her hair, flowing with gravity, is the lone ruffled standout amongst the orchestration of limbs and torso.
The calm appeal of this black and white nude dancer photograph stems from two sources: the angular composition and the achromatic tonality.
Triangles are throughout, formed by her legs, the overall shape of her body, and is repeated in her fingers, shoulder, hip, and the space between her heel, knee, toes, and floor. The interlocking triangles provide a sense of order and stability. The pose is clearly premeditated. The repetition of this shape along a single plane emphasizes the geometric nature of the composition.
Highlights and shadows tinted with opposing hues of warm and cool to enhance the perception of dimensionality. Without color, the eye is undistracted from the abstract forms. The limited tonal palette reinforces the calm mood.
