Lobstermen - Morning 1918

Philip Little produced this etching, Lobstermen - Morning, in the United States. The image presents a snapshot of maritime life, deeply intertwined with the social and economic fabric of coastal communities. The stark contrast between the dark silhouettes of the lobstermen and their vessel against the subtly rendered sea and sky speaks volumes. The fishermen, shadowed and stoic, are defined by their labor. Little’s choice to focus on this subject matter reflects a broader artistic interest in depicting everyday life and the working class. The image can be situated within the context of a growing interest in regionalism and the celebration of American labor. To fully understand this print, one might investigate the history of fishing communities in New England, the economic conditions that shaped their lives, and the cultural narratives that romanticized or critiqued their way of life. By examining such contextual factors, we can appreciate how Little's work engages with, and contributes to, the social discourse of its time.