Aanleg van de New Yorkse metro Possibly 1911 - 1916

Grant W. Pullis captured this cyanotype image of the New York subway's construction, presenting a city scene cast in monochrome blues. The cobblestone street stretches into the distance, crisscrossed by tracks, giving the impression of movement and bustling activity. Pullis arranges the scene along strong diagonal lines, directing the viewer's gaze upwards and into the urban landscape. The composition is structured around contrasts: the solid, geometric forms of buildings against the fluid lines of the streets and the dynamic, shadowy figures who traverse them. This juxtaposition creates a tension that invites closer inspection. Note how the cyanotype process itself contributes to the image's meaning. The cool, otherworldly blue flattens the perspective, transforming a bustling construction site into a contemplative, almost dreamlike tableau. This monochromatic treatment challenges our perception, urging us to consider the interplay between representation and abstraction, reality and its artistic interpretation.