[Street scene with church, Lübeck] c. 1940s - 1950s

Editor: This is a photograph titled "Street scene with church, Lübeck", attributed to Laurence Feininger. It's a small print, only a few centimeters square, and it has a really striking sense of depth. What formal qualities stand out to you? Curator: The high contrast and the use of light and shadow create a powerful sense of spatial recession. Observe how the receding lines of the buildings converge toward the top of the church spire, emphasizing verticality. Do you see how the architectural forms are reduced to essential geometric shapes? Editor: Yes, the buildings almost look like minimalist sculptures. I hadn't considered that. Curator: Feininger plays with texture. Note the smooth surfaces of the church juxtaposed against the rougher facades of the surrounding buildings. It's a study in contrasts. Editor: I see what you mean. I appreciate how the composition directs the eye upwards, creating a sense of awe. Curator: Indeed. This work reveals how formal elements can be employed to evoke a specific emotional response from the viewer. Editor: Thank you. I am definitely viewing it from a different perspective now.