Songs of the Sky

1923

Alfred Stieglitz

Associated Names
Alfred Stieglitz

Artist, American, 1864 - 1946

The image captures a view of a cloudy sky seen from a low angle, pointing upwards. There is no visible horizon, as the entire frame is occupied by dramatic clouds, varying in density and texture. The composition displays clouds that range from light to dark gray, creating a strong contrast against the nearly black night sky. The technique resembles a chiaroscuro effect, highlighting the texture and volume of the clouds. The overall color palette is monochromatic, with shades of black and gray dominating the visual scene, providing a striking impact that emphasizes the vastness and depth of the cloudy sky.

Media Options

This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print

  • Credit Line

    Alfred Stieglitz Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to image): 11.6 x 9.1 cm (4 9/16 x 3 9/16 in.)
    mount: 34.3 x 27.6 cm (13 1/2 x 10 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1949.3.890

  • Stieglitz Estate Number

    141B

    Part of Stieglitz Key Set Online Edition

    Learn more

  • Key Set Number

    949

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

Curious for more Alfred Stieglitz scholarship?

Discover over 1,000 artworks that the artist’s wife Georgia O’Keeffe termed his “Key Set” of prize photographs. Museum scholars have illuminated each work, his career, practices, and lifetime achievements.

Learn about the Key Set

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. 2, cat. 949.

Inscriptions

by Georgia O'Keeffe, on mount, upper left verso, in graphite: 141B
by later hand, on mount, lower right verso, in graphite: D

Wikidata ID

Q64035987

Scholarly Remarks and Key Set Data

Remarks

The dates for this photograph and Key Set number 948 are based on the mounting materials and type of paper used, which are similar to those of other prints dated 1923.

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:

1932, New York

You may be interested in

Loading Results