Equivalent 1926

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph titled 'Equivalent' using gelatin silver. The image is almost entirely filled with dark, billowing clouds, save for a bright patch at the top that suggests sunlight breaking through. Stieglitz believed a photograph could stand for—or be equivalent to—an emotion, idea, or state of mind. He used clouds as a visual language to express his inner feelings, liberating the photograph from merely representing the external world. Look closely: notice how the contrasting tones create depth, and the way the light and shadow play across the forms suggests movement and change. Here, Stieglitz sought to create a work that spoke to the viewer on a purely emotional level. Consider the way the forms convey a sense of grandeur, and how it reflects a broader shift toward abstraction in the early 20th century, as artists began to explore the intrinsic qualities of their mediums. Art isn't only about what you see, but also about what you feel.