Over the House-Tops--New York c. 20th century

William E. Wilmerding created this photograph, "Over the House-Tops--New York", at an unknown date, and it's a study in greys, from the dense towers to the soft, almost ethereal clouds. It strikes me as so process-oriented. You can almost imagine Wilmerding in the darkroom, coaxing these tones to life. Look at how the smoke rises, obscuring parts of the buildings. It reminds me that art isn’t just about what’s visible, but what’s hidden. The texture of the smoke, especially, feels so palpable. The whole scene reminds me a little of Piranesi's etchings, all these looming architectural forms. It’s like Wilmerding is suggesting a world constantly in flux, a city breathing, always changing. Just like art itself, I guess. This piece makes you think about the impermanence of things.