The photograph titled “Chauffeur” was taken by the artist Alexander Rodchenko in the year 1933. This image is a striking example of Rodchenko’s innovative approach to composition and perspective.
The photograph captures the reflection of a chauffeur’s face in a side mirror of a vehicle. The chauffeur’s facial expression appears serious and focused, and his dark attire stands out against the lighter background visible in the reflection. The mirror dominates the foreground of the image, with part of the vehicle’s body and another circular component, perhaps also part of the vehicle, visible in the shot. Rodchenko’s use of close-up and unusual angles creates an engaging and dynamic composition, typical of his style and indicative of the experimental photography techniques of the early 20th century. The background, though blurred, offers a glimpse of an urban setting, perhaps hinting at the hustle and bustle that surrounds the still, contemplative figure of the chauffeur.
