The Steerage

1907, printed 1911

Alfred Stieglitz

Associated Names
Alfred Stieglitz

Artist, American, 1864 - 1946

This is a photograph of a crowded ship's deck. The image shows many figures standing and interacting in various positions on the deck. The deck is partially covered with a metal railing, and a set of stairs is visible on the right side leading to an upper level. The presence of rope and metal structures indicates the ship's maritime setting. There are various pieces of clothing and belongings scattered about on the lower level. The atmosphere of the image is historical and suggests immigration or travel in earlier times. The tones of the photograph provide a monochromatic, sepia-hued view.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    photogravure

  • Credit Line

    Alfred Stieglitz Collection

  • Dimensions

    image: 19.7 x 15.8 cm (7 3/4 x 6 1/4 in.)
    sheet: 28 x 20 cm (11 x 7 7/8 in.)
    mount: 32.9 x 24.8 cm (12 15/16 x 9 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1949.3.294

  • Stieglitz Estate Number

    125D

    Part of Stieglitz Key Set Online Edition

    Learn more

  • Key Set Number

    311

The image shows a man leaning his head on his hand, positioned with his face resting on his left hand. He has a mustache, thin-framed eyeglasses, and thick, greying hair that curls slightly at the edges. He is dressed in a formal jacket, a white shirt, and a black bow tie. The background is a soft, dark blur.

Alfred Stieglitz

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Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Georgia O'Keeffe; gift to NGA, 1949.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1958

  • Photographs by Alfred Stieglitz, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, March 16–April 27, 1958

Bibliography

1947

  • Cramer, Konrad. "Stupendous Stieglitz." PSA Journal 13 (November 1947): 722.

1950

  • Norman, Dorothy. "Alfred Stieglitz on Photography.” Magazine of Art 43 (December 1950): 301.

1951

  • Shiffman, Joseph. "The Alienation of the Artist: Alfred Stieglitz." American Quarterly 3 (Fall 1951): fig. 1.

2002

  • Greenough, Sarah. Alfred Stieglitz: The Key Set: The Alfred Stieglitz Collection of Photographs. Washington, 2002: vol. 1, cat. 311.

Wikidata ID

Q64034804

Scholarly Remarks and Key Set Data

Remarks

This is a proof of the photogravure that appeared in Camera Work 36 (October 1911), pl. 9.

For more information about this photograph, see Key Set number 310.

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