Venetian Canal

1894, printed 1929/1934

Alfred Stieglitz

Associated Names
Alfred Stieglitz

Artist, American, 1864 - 1946

This is an image of a narrow canal with tall buildings on each side. The photo is taken from a slightly elevated point, showing the canal stretching into the distance. A small arched bridge is visible in the distance, separating the canal from further structures. The image is in monochrome, emphasizing different shades of grey to highlight the buildings' texture. The still water of the canal reflects the structures, adding to the visual symmetry. Gondolas are lined up along the canal, leading the viewer's eye towards the distant bridge. The image plays with light and shadow, creating depth and character in the urban canal scene.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print

  • Credit Line

    Alfred Stieglitz Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to image): 22.4 x 16.8 cm (8 13/16 x 6 5/8 in.)
    mount: 34.6 x 27 cm (13 5/8 x 10 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1949.3.133

  • Stieglitz Estate Number

    58E

    Part of Stieglitz Key Set Online Edition

    Learn more

  • Key Set Number

    149

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

1992

  • Stieglitz in the Darkroom, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, October 4, 1992–February 14, 1993

Bibliography

2002

  • Greenough, Sarah. Alfred Stieglitz: The Key Set: The Alfred Stieglitz Collection of Photographs. Washington, 2002: vol. 1, cat. 149.

Inscriptions

by later hand, on mount, upper center verso, in graphite: 10 3/4 x 13 5/8

Wikidata ID

Q64034708

Scholarly Remarks and Key Set Data

Stieglitz Collections

A corresponding print was given to the following institution(s) by Alfred Stieglitz during his lifetime, or was received or acquired from the estate:

George Eastman Museum, Rochester, 74:0052:0061

Library of Congress, Washington, PH-04 A

Other Collections

A print corresponding with this photograph can also be found in the following collection(s):

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, 93.XM.25.55

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