“The Steerage” is a seminal photogravure created by Alfred Stieglitz in 1907, belonging to the Pictorialism art movement. This artwork, measuring 32.2 x 25.8 cm, is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, NY. The genre is photographic documentary, portraying a scene from early 20th century life.
The artwork captures a moment aboard a transatlantic steamer, depicting both the steerage and upper-class decks. The composition focuses on the stark divide between the passengers, delineated by the ship’s structure. Through lines and forms, Stieglitz juxtaposes the crowded and somewhat chaotic conditions of the lower-class passengers against those of the more comfortably situated individuals above. The overall tone conveys a narrative of immigration, economic disparity, and the human condition, encapsulating a poignant historical context in a visually striking manner.
