The Milling District c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have Gustav Goetsch’s "The Milling District," likely created in the early 20th century. It's an etching, so a printmaking technique. The overall mood is quite industrial, even somber. What strikes you about this cityscape? Curator: Well, considering this print’s probable date, it’s vital to address the implied labor that makes possible this built environment depicted. This isn’t just an aesthetic rendering of architecture. Goetsch's decision to create an etching, a readily reproducible medium, points towards a broader circulation of this imagery, beyond an elite art market. Editor: So, the medium itself is important. Why etching, and why depict something like a milling district? Curator: Etchings, with their detailed lines and tonal range, offered artists a relatively inexpensive and accessible medium for portraying modern life. Depicting a "milling district" shifts the artistic gaze from traditional landscapes to the industrial engine of a city. We can see here a perspective from consumption that focuses on process, which calls attention to the materiality of our culture and everyday products. Editor: Interesting. It's not just a picture of buildings, it's about how things were made. Curator: Exactly. We should consider whose labor went into building those structures, operating the mills, and transporting the raw materials. Furthermore, we should think about the resources consumed, the waste generated, and the environmental impact of such a concentrated industrial zone. Editor: I see the puffing smoke and chimneys differently now, not just a generic landscape element, but as something more significant! I also now better grasp the class commentary that the use of the medium implies in pieces like these. Curator: Indeed. These images reflect, and participate in, material realities. Thank you for this interesting insight!