Tree Set 3 c. 1924

Alfred Stieglitz made this gelatin silver print, called "Tree Set 3," at an unknown date, with the Art Institute of Chicago now its home. What I notice is how Stieglitz really leans into the gray scale, exploiting the way light can shape our perception. The textures here are amazing. The tree's branches are like stark lines, almost as if drawn with a charcoal stick, boldly contrasting with the soft, pillowy clouds behind. Look at how the light catches the edges of those clouds, giving them this luminous, almost ethereal quality. It feels like Stieglitz is not just capturing a scene, but evoking a mood. It reminds me a little of the stark contrasts you see in some of Ansel Adams’ landscapes, where the drama is all about light and shadow. With Stieglitz, though, it's like he’s found this perfect balance between realism and something more abstract, something deeply felt. Art's always a conversation, and here, Stieglitz is whispering something about seeing the world in shades of gray, but feeling it in full color.