Pictorialism

Movement in photography at the end of the 19th century and in the early 20th century that stressed the aesthetic qualities of photography in an attempt to establish it as an art form and not just a mechanical process.

The photographic image was usually manipulated during the developing process in order to heighten its atmospheric and emotional impact. Pictorialism imitated the prevailing styles in painting, the soft focus coming from Impressionism and the tendency for strong design and abstract patterning coming from art nouveau and Symbolism. Exponents included Robert Demachy, Edward Steichen, Alfred Stieglitz, and Alvin Coburn.