Lake George from the Hill America, 20th century

Lake George from the Hill

1932

Alfred Stieglitz

(American, 1864–1946)

America, 20th century

gelatin silver print

Image: 18.6 x 23.4 cm (7 5/16 x 9 3/16 in.); Matted: 45.7 x 55.9 cm (18 x 22 in.)

Gift of Cary Ross, Knoxville, Tennessee 1935.100

Location: not on view

This artwork is known to be under copyright.

Description

This idyllic landscape along the shores of Lake George is located near the beloved Stieglitz family retreat, where the photographer, his family, and friends spent much time over the years. Taken toward the end of his career, this image shows his sensitivity to the nuances of change despite the familiarity of a scene. Here he was captivated by abstract forms and patterns, such as the dark, angular shadow encroaching upon the sun-drenched fruit tree. Clouds, like the ominous bank rolling in over the ridge beyond the lake, were of special significance to Stieglitz. He considered them "equivalents" of his most profound life experiences and often photographed them alone. His keen eye and visionary philosophy of modernism made him a pivotal force during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in promoting photography as an art form.