'Midst Steam and Smoke c. 20th century

Prescott Adamson’s ‘Midst Steam and Smoke’ (c. 20th century) is a striking example of Pictorialism, a photographic movement that emerged in the late 19th century. This evocative photograph, housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, captures the industrial landscape of a snowy cityscape, obscured by billowing smoke. The soft focus and muted tones enhance the atmospheric quality of the scene, emphasizing the stark contrast between the industrial activity and the natural elements. The solitary figure, dwarfed by the scale of the factory, adds a sense of loneliness and vulnerability to the composition.