“The Terminal,” created by Alfred Stieglitz in 1892, is an evocative photograph belonging to the Pictorialism art movement. The artwork exemplifies the Pictorialism genre through its focus on aesthetic qualities and emotional content.
The photograph captures a bustling, snow-laden urban scene featuring a horse-drawn tram surrounded by a haze of steam. The central figure, a worker tending to the horses, is shrouded in mystery and indistinct outlines, contributing to the sense of a fleeting moment frozen in time. The atmospheric conditions, with steam rising from the horses’ bodies, blend seamlessly with the wintery environment, creating a dreamlike quality typical of Pictorialist photography. The architectural backdrop, with its grand buildings and muted tones, underscores the timeless nature of this early 20th-century urban landscape. Stieglitz’s masterful use of light and shadow imbues the scene with a sense of melancholy and reverence, inviting viewers to reflect on the human and animal experiences within the bustling metropolis.
