The Rag Picker Possibly 1892 - 1934

"The Rag Picker" (possibly 1892-1934), by Alfred Stieglitz, is a poignant black and white photograph that captures the harsh realities of urban life. The image depicts a solitary figure, shrouded in a cloak, scavenging through a trash bin on a snowy New York City street. The harsh contrast between light and shadow, characteristic of Stieglitz's "straight photography" style, emphasizes the figure's isolation and the bleakness of the surroundings. The composition highlights the starkness of the scene, with the figure positioned against a backdrop of street lamps, horse-drawn carriages, and snow-covered buildings. The image, taken during the late 19th or early 20th century, serves as a powerful testament to the social and economic inequalities of the time.