Dedicated to an era long gone featuring architectural photographs of houses, hotels, apartment and office buildings, civic institutions and more...many of which are no longer standing.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Alice Austen's 1896 NYC 4
The fourth in a series of New York City street scenes taken by photographer Alice Austen in 1896. Photos from the NYPL. Above, Ash Cart (labels are from the photos).
These street scenes are absolutely fascinating. The highlight of trades and occupations eventually rendered obsolete is equally fascinating. Thanks Zach.
I've had a gripping reaction to this series, most material we view on your two blogs have focused at the other extreme, is it the contrast that's so jolting, I don't know. Hats! The peddler of sponges, messenger, the rubbish man, the organ grinder, the newsboy, the immigrants, all wearing hats. Knowing not whether to infer anything beyond street custom of the day, I'm tempted to imagine it might have been about personal Dignity, the Dignity of work. It's been a wonderful series, thanks so much Zach.
And the question is, did Alice Austen, taking these pictures in 1896, know that these scenes were about to disappear, or was she merely recording the life she saw/
These street scenes are absolutely fascinating. The highlight of trades and occupations eventually rendered obsolete is equally fascinating. Thanks Zach.
ReplyDeleteI've had a gripping reaction to this series, most material we view on your two blogs have focused at the other extreme, is it the contrast that's so jolting, I don't know. Hats! The peddler of sponges, messenger, the rubbish man, the organ grinder, the newsboy, the immigrants, all wearing hats. Knowing not whether to infer anything beyond street custom of the day, I'm tempted to imagine it might have been about personal Dignity, the Dignity of work. It's been a wonderful series, thanks so much Zach.
ReplyDelete-Flo
Yes Zach...wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAnd the question is, did Alice Austen, taking these pictures in 1896, know that these scenes were about to disappear, or was she merely recording the life she saw/
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed gripping pictures