Hello, Isadora [Comparison and Contrast]

Very often, I find myself being mesmerized by the glory of obscure works from before my time.The most recent instance happened while I was trying to find lyrics for a sub-psychotic no wave band called Arab on Radar and thanks to my totally irrelevant faulty transcription of the bizarre moaning vocal, I came across this picture of the early 20th century modernist dancer Isadora Duncan.

Portrait of Isadora Duncan c. 1906-1912

I'm a music nerd, so seeing this image I immediately thought of the Salem, Massachusetts hardcore punk band Converge's cover for their album Jane Doe.

Jane Doe cover art by Jacob Bannon

Luck would have it that both Converge and Isadora Duncan, while being so different in almost every fashion yet both deserving the title of iconic figures within their respective fields, have such similarly composed images that represent them — icons in and of themselves. I know nothing about Converge vocalist and visual designer Jacob Bannon's process in creating his image for Jane Doe, so I could not speak on his inspirations or what, if any, references he might have used. However it is necessary to point out that this image has become what I view as a modern icon for the entire school of art and music, within which Converge remains at the forefront.

Compositionally, both images are for the most part symmetrically balanced, with slight elements of variation so as to remain in a comfortingly natural realm.Discomforting in both images, however, is the position and expression of the figures. Both hold a stern, serious facial expression, with their chins slightly tilted upward. A lot of emphasis is put on this element, especially in the Bannon piece. This element gives off an air of divine scrutiny, almost as if we are not the viewer but instead the subject — we are the ones being watched. However, what sets the two images apart in this respect, is that Isadora's soft skin and face is clearly visible thus enabling us to see that her eyes are focused straight forward, while Jane Doe, with her rigid contrast, appears to be looking slightly downward, thus adding even more emphasis to the discomforting scrutiny under which the icon places the viewer.

As if this was at all necessary, here's a PV of Converge's "Fault and Fracture" off Jane Doe.
Just a heads up though, it is not meant for the faint of heart.