The photograph titled “Jawaharlal Nehru, India” was taken by Margaret Bourke-White in 1947. It is a black-and-white portrait that captures a man in formal attire with a distinguished and thoughtful expression. In the portrait, the man is pictured from a slightly elevated angle, gazing off to the side, his face carrying a serious, contemplative look. He wears a traditional Indian garment, specifically a button-up coat (known as a Nehru jacket) and a Gandhi cap, a symbol often associated with the Indian political and national spirit of the time.
The photograph composition is simple with a plain backdrop that accentuates the subject’s features and attire. The lighting is soft yet directional, casting gentle shadows that sculpt the man’s facial structure, while a catchlight is visible in his eyes, indicating depth and vitality. The man’s posture and attire reflect a sense of dignity and elegance, forms that resonate with his significance as a leader during a pivotal era in Indian history.