Paris Possibly 1894 - 1934

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph, entitled 'Paris', using gelatin silver. The photograph captures a street scene, likely taken at the turn of the century. The cultural context of Paris at that time was one of rapid modernization and industrialization. The city was becoming a hub for art and culture, attracting artists from all over the world. Stieglitz was part of the Photo-Secession movement, which sought to establish photography as a fine art form. It challenged the prevailing view that photography was merely a tool for documentation. The scene suggests the social structures of the time, with horse-drawn carriages and street cleaners. The inclusion of these elements may be a conscious comment on the changing urban landscape and the social classes that occupied it. To gain a deeper understanding, research into the history of photography, the Photo-Secession movement, and the social history of Paris could be beneficial. Art is never created in a vacuum, and its meaning is always shaped by the world around it.