CM: This is a portrait of Kimon Friar (1911-1993) at the age of around 25, when he served as a visiting lecturer at various academic institutions, including University of California in Berkeley; University of Illinois; University of Indiana; and Ohio State University. Having had this portrait taken by The Wolk Studio of Forest Park, Illinois, it is likely Friar was visiting the University of Illinois at the time. During such visits Friar organized poetry readings for the pleasure of the public.
The Wolk Studio portrayed Friar with deeply pensive eyes in keeping with his highly sophisticated personality. Friar's impecably conservative appearance involves a light pin-stripped suit combined with a dark monochrome tie over a plain white shirt. The photographer created a fine likeness of Friar paying attention to the balance of light and shadows, while catching his face at an angle where the well-groomed hair seem to caress the contour of the head.
