Pictorialism was a photographic movement that emerged in the late 19th century and lasted until the 1920s. Pictorialists aimed to elevate photography to the status of fine art by emphasizing its artistic and expressive qualities. They sought to produce photographs that looked like paintings, emphasizing the soft focus, tonality, and mood of their images. Pictorialism was characterized by its use of elaborate printing techniques and its emphasis on craftsmanship and individual expression.
Key features:
- Soft focus, tonality, and mood emphasized
- Aimed to elevate photography to the status of fine art
- Elaborate printing techniques used
- Emphasis on craftsmanship and individual expression
Simple examples:
More complex examples:
Wilder Experiments:
Pictorialism had a significant impact on the development of photography as an art form, paving the way for later movements such as modernism and surrealism. Related movements include the Photo-Secession, which was founded by Alfred Stieglitz and included many Pictorialist photographers, as well as the later New York School of photography.
