Fifth Avenue in New York, gezien richting het noorden vanaf de kruising met 37th Street 1861 - 1871

Editor: We're looking at a gelatin-silver print called "Fifth Avenue in New York, gezien richting het noorden vanaf de kruising met 37th Street," made sometime between 1861 and 1871 by an anonymous photographer. The atmosphere feels hushed and strangely empty. What catches your eye in this scene? Curator: It’s the architecture, really. Those imposing buildings lining Fifth Avenue speak volumes about the aspirations and rapid growth of New York at that time. And notice the lack of people? Makes me wonder, was it intentional? Did the photographer wait for the perfect moment of emptiness, or was the exposure time just too long to capture the hustle and bustle? It's like peering into a silent film. Editor: That's a good point. It's striking how empty it is. I almost feel like something significant has either just happened, or is about to. It also looks a bit... staged, even though it’s street photography. Curator: Exactly! It's the dance between capturing reality and shaping a vision, isn't it? Street photography can be so raw, and then here you have this beautifully composed but seemingly deserted cityscape. Almost as if it wanted to freeze a single moment and display that feeling. Editor: Thinking about that staging and this being anonymous makes me wonder if there’s a critical social commentary hiding here. A photographer creating their own perspective of New York society? Curator: Possibly! These early photographs often captured more than just surface appearances; they reveal aspirations, anxieties, and perhaps even a touch of longing for a simpler time amidst the city’s frenetic change. Or, maybe, they just liked the look of the light on those buildings that day. You never know! Editor: True, it could be simple aesthetics, too. It's really cool how much one photograph can hold. Curator: It’s a time capsule and an open book, all in one slightly faded print, isn’t it? Makes you want to stroll right in and solve the mystery of that quiet afternoon.