Songs of the Sky K2 or H2

probably 1923

Alfred Stieglitz

Associated Names
Alfred Stieglitz

Artist, American, 1864 - 1946

The image shows an upward view of a cloudy sky with layered clouds. The focus is on the sky, with no visible horizon. The scene is monochromatic in shades of grey and black, creating a moody atmosphere. The clouds have soft yet defined transitions in tone, giving them a voluminous and textured appearance. In the upper right, the sun or moon is partially obscured, casting a faint glow and contrasting with the dark clouds. The interplay of light and shadow creates a dynamic and somewhat mysterious sky.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print

  • Credit Line

    Alfred Stieglitz Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to image): 11.7 x 9.2 cm (4 5/8 x 3 5/8 in.)
    mount: 34.3 x 27.7 cm (13 1/2 x 10 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1949.3.882

  • Stieglitz Estate Number

    163D

    Part of Stieglitz Key Set Online Edition

    Learn more

  • Key Set Number

    924

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. 2, cat. 924.

Inscriptions

by Alfred Stieglitz, on mount, upper left verso, in graphite: Top 2 / K2 [2 in subscript]; center left verso: Top / H2 [2 in subscript]
by later hands, on mount, upper left verso, in graphite: D / 163D

Wikidata ID

Q64035969

Scholarly Remarks and Key Set Data

Remarks

The dates for this photograph and Key Set numbers 923 and 925 are based on the mounting materials and type of paper, which are similar to those of other prints dated 1923.

Other Collections

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

Private collection

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