In a striking and intimate self-portrait that captured the imagination of social media, photographer Brooke DiDonato created an image of profound personal reckoning. The photograph, titled 'Learned a Lesson Then Forgot It', features the artist nude and upside-down, perfectly framed within the confines of a 1940s fireplace in Austin, Texas, with a curious stray kitten completing the scene.
A Creative Rebirth in Texas
The genesis of the now-iconic image was a period of significant transition for DiDonato. After ending a long-term relationship in 2019, she found herself creatively stifled in New York City, where her entire experience was tied to that past partnership. Seeking a fresh start, she relocated to Austin, Texas in 2021. It was there, in a friend's vintage apartment with original details like popcorn ceilings and an inspiring fireplace, that her practice transformed.
"I was doing a lot more self-portraits and let my psyche run wild," DiDonato recalls of that time. The move allowed her to escape the competitive atmosphere of the New York art scene, granting her the freedom to experiment without pressure.
The Making of 'Learned a Lesson Then Forgot It'
On a particularly difficult day, DiDonato visited her friend Mike's apartment with a clear vision only for the location, not the final composition. She replaced a bowling trophy on the mantel with a piece of art from his bathroom, setting the stage. The concept crystallised around the idea of relearning childhood warnings, specifically the adage "Don't play with fire." This inspired the photograph's poignant title.
The physical execution was demanding. DiDonato shot approximately 24 outtakes, striving to form a perfect square with her body in the cramped fireplace. "My back hurt for a few days after," she admits. An unplanned yet perfect element was the spontaneous inclusion of a stray kitten Mike had recently taken in. The feline's persistent curiosity, captured in the frame, added an authentic layer of narrative that many viewers later questioned was a digital addition.
Emotion Over Popularity
DiDonato emphasises that the work was driven purely by personal emotion, not any desire for viral fame. "I wasn't thinking about what would be popular," she states, though the image subsequently garnered a massive and unexpected reaction online. She believes its power lies in the space it leaves for interpretation, allowing viewers to construct their own narratives from the tense yet graceful pose.
Now back in New York, DiDonato looks back on her Austin period with fondness, recognising it as a time she felt "really alive." The photograph stands as a testament to a period of controlled, spontaneous creation, born from personal difficulty and artistic renewal. Her first book, 'Brooke DiDonato: Take a Picture, It Will Last Longer', is published by Thames and Hudson on 29 January.
