Near Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico 1931

Paul Strand's "Near Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico" (1931) is a striking example of his signature modernist style in photography. The image captures the stark beauty of the New Mexican landscape, showcasing a small adobe village nestled in the foothills beneath a dramatic sky. The geometric composition of the landscape, with its clear lines and contrasting light and shadow, emphasizes the architectural elements of the village and the expansive natural elements of the landscape. Strand’s work celebrated the indigenous cultures of the American Southwest and helped to define the aesthetic of modern photography.