“Going to the Start,” created by Alfred Stieglitz in 1905, epitomizes the Pictorialism movement within the genre of photography. The artwork encapsulates a moment at a racetrack, showcasing a scene where jockeys and their horses are proceeding to the starting line.
In the artwork, the visual frame is dominated by a dynamic view of a horse racing track from the perspective of the audience. The crowd’s silhouettes and a subdued ambiance create a sense of anticipation and engagement. The background reveals a sprawling vista, including structures and trees bathed in a soft, almost ethereal light, characteristic of the Pictorialist style. The photograph, with its sepia tones and gentle contrast, captures not just a moment in time but also evokes an emotional and atmospheric depth, emphasizing the artistic rather than the documentary aspect of photography.
