The Fishermen's Return

1894, printed 1895/1896

Alfred Stieglitz

Associated Names
Alfred Stieglitz

Artist, American, 1864 - 1946

The image shows a seascape with a beach scene from a slightly elevated viewpoint. The horizon is high, displaying shallow water and sand. There are several sailing ships with tall masts and furled sails along the waterline. One prominent vessel is isolated to the right with dark sails contrasting against the sky. A crowd is seen in the distance along the shore. Reflections on the wet sand capture highlights from the sky. The color palette is monochromatic, emphasizing the textures of the sea and sky. The soft focus and grainy texture give it the appearance of an old photograph, with tones that create a calm atmosphere.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    platinum print

  • Credit Line

    Alfred Stieglitz Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to image): 9 × 20.5 cm (3 9/16 × 8 1/16 in.)
    page size: 27 × 33.8 cm (10 5/8 × 13 5/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1949.3.214

  • Stieglitz Estate Number

    67C

    Part of Stieglitz Key Set Online Edition

    Learn more

  • Key Set Number

    227

Associated Artworks

See all 30 artworks
The image displays a close-up portrait of a person's face, capturing the head and some of the upper torso. The person is positioned at a slight angle, with their face turned slightly towards the camera. Their facial features include full lips, an oval face, and large, expressive eyes. Their hair is styled in soft waves that frame their face. The person is wearing a thick, draped garment that covers their shoulders. There is no visible jewelry or objects in their hands. The background consists of a textured, uneven brick wall.

Marina

Alfred Stieglitz

1887

The image depicts a woman standing outdoors. She is leaning against a dark wooden door, with one arm raised and the other arm resting across her body. The woman has a calm expression with partially closed eyes and her head slightly tilted to the side. She has dark hair partially covered by a long head scarf and is wearing a long plaid dress with long sleeves and a dark shawl draped over her shoulders. The background includes an old, textured brick wall and a window with metal bars next to the door. The overall setting appears vintage, possibly in sepia tones.

The Wanderer's Return

Alfred Stieglitz

1887

This is a photograph of a rustic archway entrance set within an old stone building. The image portrays uneven, textured stonework and a large central archway leading into a darker doorway. Above the entrance, a balcony supported by stonework is adorned with potted plants. Ropes are strung across the building, supporting laundry, and the ground is cobblestone. The scene reflects a sense of history and timelessness, capturing everyday life.

A Nook in Pallanza

Alfred Stieglitz

1887

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

2002

  • Alfred Stieglitz: Known and Unknown, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, June 2–September 2, 2002; The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, October 6, 2002–January 5, 2003

Bibliography

2002

  • Greenough, Sarah. Alfred Stieglitz: The Key Set: The Alfred Stieglitz Collection of Photographs. Washington, 2002: vol. 1, cat. 227.

Inscriptions

by Alfred Stieglitz, on interleaving tissue, lower right, in graphite: the Fishermen's Return / 1894

Wikidata ID

Q64037664

Scholarly Remarks and Key Set Data

Remarks

“The boats which these hardy fishermen use look as if they could weather any storm and outlive any of their masters, yet ten years is considered a long life for them and the beach is strewn with what were but a few years ago staunch vessels, built of hardiest oak, and ribbed with knots and sinews of steel” (Stieglitz with Louis H. Schubart, “Two Artists’ Haunts,” The Photographic Times 26 [January 1895], 11).

Lifetime Exhibitions

A print from the same negative—perhaps a photograph from the Gallery’s collection—appeared in the following exhibition(s) during Alfred Stieglitz’s lifetime:

1895, London, Salon (no. 271, as Fishermen’s Return)
1895, Brussels (as Retour des Pêcheurs)

Lifetime Publications

A reproduction of this work appeared in the following publication(s) during Alfred Stieglitz’s lifetime:

The Photographic Times 32 (December 1900): opp. 529 (ill., Landing of the Boats)

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