Black Forest House

1894, printed 1929/1934

Alfred Stieglitz

Associated Names
Alfred Stieglitz

Artist, American, 1864 - 1946

The image shows two rustic, thatched-roof buildings in a rural setting. The viewpoint is slightly elevated, looking downward towards the buildings. The land is gently sloping, with a wooded hill in the background. The traditional architectural style of the buildings is visible, with steeply pitched roofs and detailed wooden elements. The color palette is monochromatic, creating a nostalgic effect with contrasts between light and shadow. In the foreground, a grassy area surrounds the buildings, leading to natural growths of shrubbery, a fence, and trees. In the distance, dense forested hills complete the scene, creating a secluded and peaceful environment.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print

  • Credit Line

    Alfred Stieglitz Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to image): 15.8 x 22 cm (6 1/4 x 8 11/16 in.)
    mount: 27.8 x 34.7 cm (10 15/16 x 13 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1949.3.181

  • Stieglitz Estate Number

    78D

    Part of Stieglitz Key Set Online Edition

    Learn more

  • Key Set Number

    177

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

Bibliography

2002

  • Greenough, Sarah. Alfred Stieglitz: The Key Set: The Alfred Stieglitz Collection of Photographs. Washington, 2002: vol. 1, cat. 177.

Inscriptions

by later hand, on mount, upper left verso, in graphite: D2

Wikidata ID

Q64034729

Scholarly Remarks and Key Set Data

Remarks

The title is taken from the checklist for Stieglitz’s 1934 exhibition.

For Stieglitz's description of Gutach, where this view was made, see Key Set number 171.

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:

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 52.1790

Other Collections

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

Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, 2016.101.419

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