Untitled (Wooden House in City) c. 1880s

Charles Frederick William Mielatz created this etching, "Untitled (Wooden House in City)", depicting a ramshackle wooden dwelling amidst an urban landscape. Mielatz, who was born in Germany, was a member of the New York Etching Club, a group dedicated to revitalizing etching as a fine art. This image reflects the rapid urbanization and industrialization of American cities in the late 19th century. The precariousness of the wooden structure, dwarfed by the factories and brick buildings, speaks to the economic disparities of the era. The contrast between the working class homes and the encroaching industry evokes themes of displacement and marginalization. Notice the figures seated by the fence, possibly contemplating their relationship to this changing urban environment. This print invites viewers to reflect on the human cost of progress, and the emotional impact of living in a society undergoing radical transformation. The image makes us think about who is included and excluded from the promises of modernity.