“Quai d’Anjou in the Fog” is a perfect representation of the subtle work of Eugene Atget.  Taken some time around 1920, “Quai d’Anjou in the Fog” displays the solitude and desolation that is characteristic of Atget’s late work.  During the last years of his life, Atget strayed away from his earlier objective style of photography and experimented with new angles, light, and moods.  

When looking at “Quai d’Anjou in the Fog,” one notices the barrenness and solitude that is created by the tone and mood of the piece.  The lack of any human life or traffic combined with the gloomy, foggy feel of the riverbank develops a mysterious sense of abandonment and desolation.  A few unique characteristics of the photograph are its usage of light, viewpoint, and sense of optimism even in the midst of solitude.  The picture is taken from the vantage point of a pedestrian, which allows the viewer to more personally experience its sensory qualities.  While the fog and absence of moving objects create a gloomy tone, the light shining through the trees combined with the glimmer of newly-fallen rain on the street add a sense of optimism and hopefulness to the photograph.  
 
 

RELATED LINKS

Eugene Atget  Website containing countless images of Atget's works.

Atget Rephotographic Project  Rephotography of sites photographed by the French photographer Eugene Atget.