Paul Strand (1890–1976)

Paul Strand’s early work, Wall Street, is considered one of the most famous masterworks of Modernist photography. The photogravure of this image appeared in Alfred Stieglitz’s preeminent photographic journal Camera Work during its final period of publication. With his newly found dedication to ‘straight’ photography, which contrasted the Pictorialist tradition that dominated during the journal’s early existence, Stieglitz had at this time turned to Strand with hope in the future of the medium of photography. In one of the final issues of Camera Work, Stieglitz wrote that Strand’s work was ‘rooted in the best traditions of photography’ and described his images as ‘brutally direct’.

It was of the utmost importance to Stieglitz that the reproductions in Camera Work retain the full quality of the original work. The photogravure process was therefore supremely suited to convey the subtle tonalities of the platinum prints of the day. This rare vintage photogravure of Wall Street places the excellence of this technique on full display.