Straatgezicht bij nacht before 1905

Alfred Stieglitz made this photogravure, "Street View at Night," whose date is currently unknown, which is now housed in the Rijksmuseum. Stieglitz, the renowned American photographer and modern art promoter, captured a nocturnal urban scene here, likely in New York, using subtle gradations of light and shadow. The picture seems to offer a glimpse into the modern metropolis and its effects. The image is notable for its Pictorialist style, which was popular at the turn of the 20th century. Pictorialism sought to elevate photography to the level of fine art through soft focus and painterly effects. This movement was promoted through the Photo-Secession, an organization founded by Stieglitz, which challenged the established art institutions. Stieglitz used his gallery "291" to introduce European Modernism to America. By studying the Photo-Secession archives, we can better understand how photographers sought to establish their place within the hierarchy of the art world. The history of art offers us unique perspectives into the cultural values of those who made it.