The Prophecy of Rothman: An artists' book collaboration between Robert Hirsch and Joseph Mills based on an album of studio portraits of children made by Adolph Rothman of Philadelphia, PA. In this project Mills created images for the album covers and Hirsch re-visualized the portraits.

The Prophecy of Rothman

There lived a man who lived alone, known to others only as Rothman, who had been an above average studio photographer of children. But other than that had lived an ordinary life.

On his death bed, in a hospital room, the nurses and doctors were puzzled by his words. It was a phrase that was all he said, over and over and over again, up until his dying breath.

“My work is a portal...my work is a portal...my work is a portal...” growing weaker each time said, as he approached death.

No one knew at all what he meant by these cryptic words...and these utterances, and his life, together, eventually faded into nothingness.

Days later a cleaning woman was emptying his small living quarters which consisted of a single room, a tarnished brass bed, and a small desk.

As she rummaged through the desk drawer, she reached far into its dark regions, pulling forth a strange book consisting of the photographs from his final sitting.

The book...the images more cryptic then his last words...was saved and is now considered sacred by those who understand.

It has come to be known as “The Prophecy of Rothman.”

Joseph Mills, June 30, 2018