Alfred Stieglitz – “Winter — Fifth Avenue,” 1893

alfred-stieglitz-winter-fifth-avenue

This photograph depicts a carriage driver continuing his work amidst a strong snowstorm on February 22, 1893. The hoof prints and wheel trails left in the snow show that this driver is one of many who had made their way down Fifth Avenue during this storm. It gave me a sense of resilience and I felt the strength of the city. The wind is blowing so hard that you can see that the snow is traveling almost horizontally, yet there is still life and there is still movement along Fifth Avenue. It also shows another less beautiful side of the city. Fifth Avenue is a very popular shopping district, and I pass by many luxurious stores along Fifth Avenue each Sunday on my way to church. However, that same avenue could also look blurry and cold as seen in this photograph. New York City has many different faces, and they may not all be visible at the same time.

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