Two Towers, New York

About this artwork

For more on the Alfred Stieglitz collection at the Art Institute, along with in-depth object information, please visit the website: The Alfred Stieglitz Collection.

Art Historical Context

Alfred Stieglitz's *Two Towers, New York (1911) captures dramatic rise of Manhattan's skyline during a transformative era in American urban history. As one of the city's pioneering photographers, Stiegl documented New York's shift from low-rise buildings to towering skysc, symbolizing industrial progress and modernity. Shot amid the bustling energy of early 20th-century Gotham, this image likely features two prominent structures piercing the horizon, evoking both awe and the relentless pace of change. Printed as a photogravure—a meticulous intaglio process that translates photographic negatives onto etched copper plates—this work exemplifies Stieglitz's commitment to photography as fine art. Photogravures, prized for their velvety tones, subtle gradations, and archival quality, were a favored medium for reproducing photographs with painterly depth, bridging the gap between snapshot and masterpiece. At 32.9 × 25.5 cm on a larger mount, it invites intimate contemplation of architectural grandeur. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Photography and Media department, *Two Towers* underscores Stieglitz's legacy as a founder of the Photo-Secession movement, which championed artistic photography. It reminds visitors of how images like this not only preserved a vanishing cityscape but also elevated everyday scenes to cultural icons.

About the Artist

Alfred Stieglitz · 1864–1946

Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1946) was a pioneering American photographer, art dealer, publisher, and advocate for the Modernist movement who was instrumental over his 50-year career in making photography an accepted art form. Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, to German Jewish immigrant parents, Stieglitz spent his formative years studying mechanical engineering in Berlin, where he discovered photography in ...