Thames Street, Newport 1881

Charles A. Platt made this etching titled Thames Street, Newport, which pictures a street in Rhode Island. The image presents a seemingly ordinary street scene, but if we dig deeper, it tells us a lot about American society in the late 19th century. Newport was known as a summer playground for the wealthy elite, but this image shows a different side of the city. By focusing on this particular street, Platt directs our attention to the everyday lives of the working class, who were often overlooked in depictions of the city. The clothing hanging outside to dry, the figures gathered in front of buildings, and the man working on the street all suggest a vibrant but humble community. Art historians might want to do more research into the economic conditions of Newport at this time, as this would shed light on Platt's decision to focus on this particular subject matter.