Steichen had a long photo session with Swanson in 1924, involving experimenting with many costume changes and lighting effects. Steichen explains that “At the end of the session, I took a piece of black lace veil and hung it in front of her face. She recognized the idea at once. Her eyes dilated, and her look was that of a leopardess lurking behind leafy shrubbery, watching her prey. You don’t have to explain things to a dynamic and intelligent personality like Miss Swanson. Her mind works swiftly and intuitively.”[1]
The picture depicts Swanson, wearing a veil, looking expressionless to the camera, where her face is seen through a transparent veil of black lace, decorated with vegetable motifs.[2]
In February 1928, the picture was published in the magazine Vanity Fair, to coincide with the release of Sadie Thompson, a film where Swanson was the leading actress.[1]
Richard Brilliant describes this way the picture: "The silent film star appears as a magical creature, composed of eyes and mystery, an image imprintend behind a flowered veil, as if it were the black-and-white film world in which she truly lived."[3]
