[Street scene, Lübeck] c. 1940s - 1950s

Editor: This is "Street scene, Lübeck," attributed to Laurence Feininger. It's a small photograph, almost like a snapshot. The buildings feel so imposing! What strikes you about this image? Curator: I am fascinated by how this image participates in the visual construction of European cities. Notice how the narrow street, amplified by the high-contrast monochrome, evokes a sense of both grandeur and claustrophobia. It's an engineered perspective. Editor: Engineered how? Curator: The angle, the darkness...it directs our gaze upwards, emphasizing the architecture's power. Consider who this imagery served and how it shaped perceptions of urban life. What's omitted is as important as what is included. Editor: So it's not just a picture of a street, but a statement about power and perception. I never would have thought of that. Curator: Exactly! Art often functions as a visual language of social and cultural values.