The Steerage
Alfred Stieglitz. 1907 C.E., New York, NY. Photogravure
The Steerage is considered Stieglitz's signature work, and was proclaimed by the artist and illustrated in histories of the medium as his first "modernist" photograph. |
Form:
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function:
- to show the social divisions of society
- to show photography as a fine art
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Content:
- Diagonals and framing effect of ladders, sails, steam pipes, etc
- depicts the poorest travelers on a ship from US to Europe
- visas expired? turned away from the US?
- steerage = the part of a ship reserved for passengers with the cheapest tickets
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Context:
- 1902-1917 was Alfred Stieglitz's Gallery 291
- most progressive gallery in US
- Photography showcased right next to avant garde and modern works
- Photography is becoming its own art form
- Stieglitz arranged little in his photographs—took pictures of life as it happened
- emphasized clarity and realism (aka, a camera's strengths)
- he was way more focused on the composition and the art of the photograph rather than the subject matter
- he neglected talking about the subject matter because his political opinions on immigration were conflicting and he instead used the photo to argue that photography = fine art
- Photo published in 1911 in Camera Work
- he was influenced by cubists
Wife is Georgia O'Keefe |
