Songs of the Sky A4 1923

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph, one of his 'Songs of the Sky' series, using a camera and photographic paper. It's striking how the world of grey tones builds a sense of depth, the clouds are like strokes of charcoal, smudged and layered to create a fleeting, atmospheric perspective. Think about this, Stieglitz, known for his sharp focus, turns the softness of the clouds into the main event. There’s a tension between the dense, heavy forms at the bottom of the frame and the lighter, more ethereal shapes above. Notice how the light seems to emanate from behind the clouds, creating an almost spiritual effect. It reminds me a little of Gerhard Richter’s cloud paintings, these capture the ephemeral quality of clouds, inviting reflection on nature, perception, and the passage of time. With both artists, the sky is a canvas for experimentation, a space where the boundaries between representation and abstraction blur.