Untitled [Granite Fence Posts in Snow] 19th-20th century

William B. Post captured this image of granite fence posts with photography, a relatively new medium at the time. Photography offers a unique lens through which to examine materiality. Here, the cool, solid granite, dressed in a thick blanket of snow, presents a study in contrasts. The rough-hewn texture of the posts, likely shaped by manual labor, speaks to a time when fences were not mass-produced, but crafted from locally sourced stone. The weight and density of the granite, meant to stand the test of time, are softened by the ephemeral snow, highlighting the transient nature of the scene. Post's choice of photography invites us to consider not just the materials depicted, but the means of capturing them. Photography democratized image-making, allowing for a wider range of subjects and perspectives than traditional painting or sculpture. It collapses hierarchies between art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the beauty of the everyday.