Building Site II c. 1935

"Building Site II" is a photograph by Dutch artist Piet Zwart, created in 1935. Zwart, a prominent figure in the De Stijl movement, captured the stark beauty of an unfinished industrial building with a minimalist approach. The image focuses on the geometric structure of the steel beams and supports, emphasizing the abstract patterns created by their intersections. The absence of color and the use of a shallow depth of field draw attention to the structural elements, making the photograph a prime example of Zwart's interest in formal design and industrial aesthetics. This image reflects the modernist fascination with the power of form and structure, and the industrial revolution's impact on the world.