Gezicht op een straat met mensen met paraplu's before 1900

This photogravure, "Gezicht op een straat met mensen met paraplu's," by Alfred Stieglitz, presents a street scene dominated by atmospheric perspective. The composition is structured by a balance of light and shadow, where the reflections on the wet pavement mirror the city's muted tones. The texture is rich, capturing the fine gradations of light. Stieglitz, a key figure in the Photo-Secession movement, used the formal qualities of photography to assert its status as fine art. The soft focus and tonal range evoke a sense of fleeting temporality. This aligns with broader artistic concerns about the representation of modern life, echoing Impressionist painters' interest in capturing ephemeral moments. The image destabilizes traditional notions by blurring the line between documentary and art. It invites us to consider how photography can not only reflect but also interpret reality.