September c. 1897 - 1905

This is a photogravure by Alfred Stieglitz, titled "September." It's a print, made using an early photographic process that allowed for rich tonal range and fine detail. The scene depicts a field with shocks of wheat, their forms softened by the printing process, evoking a hazy, late-summer atmosphere. Now, think about the labor embedded here. Wheat doesn't harvest itself; this image speaks to the intense, physical work of agriculture. The stacks of wheat stand as testaments to human effort, shaped by hands into these temporary forms. Stieglitz presents this labor indirectly, focusing instead on the aesthetic qualities of the landscape, yet the very subject matter brings those questions of production to mind. "September" invites reflection on how we value both the artistic representation and the labor-intensive processes that bring food to our tables. By considering these aspects, we gain a richer understanding of the image.