Sime Herrmann, Mr. and Mrs. Mann, Dr. Brown, Mr. McGibbon, Miss Linthicum and Emmy—On Board the Bourgogne May 5–14, 1896 Possibly 1894 - 1896

Alfred Stieglitz made this photogravure, titled "Sime Herrmann, Mr. and Mrs. Mann, Dr. Brown, Mr. McGibbon, Miss Linthicum and Emmy—On Board the Bourgogne May 5–14, 1896," during a transatlantic voyage. The image captures a group of well-dressed passengers relaxing on the deck of a ship, presumably enjoying the sea air. The composition, with its focus on the leisure activities of the upper class, reflects the social stratification of the time. Made in the United States, in the late 19th century, the photograph embodies the aesthetics of the Photo-Secession movement. Stieglitz, as a key figure in this movement, advocated for photography as a fine art. He challenged the prevailing view that photography was merely a tool for documentation, and sought to elevate it to the level of painting and sculpture. Further research into the shipping industry, social history, and the Photo-Secession movement helps us better understand the cultural context and the artistic intentions behind this photograph. Through such investigations, we reveal the meaning of art as a product of specific social and institutional circumstances.