The Old Order and the New 1886

"The Old Order and the New" (1886) by Peter Henry Emerson, a prominent figure in the pictorialist movement, showcases the artist's innovative approach to photography. The black-and-white photograph, currently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, captures a serene landscape, featuring a lone sailboat with three figures and a distant farmhouse. The image's soft focus, characteristic of Emerson's style, creates a dreamlike atmosphere, reminiscent of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. The photograph's subject matter reflects Emerson's fascination with rural life and his aim to elevate photography as a fine art form.