Muddy Miner Portrait Near Brasilia

Thick dark mud coats the cheeks and jawline of a deep-shaft gold miner standing under a perfectly clear sky near Brasilia. A headlamp on his helmet projects a sharp white glare across his forehead, against the gentle shadows of the open shade. Bright midmorning light illuminates the texture of the grime and the worn fabric of his work clothes. The turn of the seasons shows in the dry, dusty quality of the soil on his skin. His eyes look directly forward with quiet intensity. One streak of sweat cuts through the mud on his temple, marking the boundary between the clean skin and the earth. Negative space surrounds the figure, isolating him against the vast blue.