Coal Barges Unloading (recto); Sketch of a Building (verso) c. 1872

Walter Greaves made this etching of coal barges unloading, likely in London, around 1872. The printmaking process itself, using acid to bite an image into a metal plate, is crucial to understanding the work. It allowed for the creation of multiple impressions, and the relatively cheap dissemination of images. The material of coal, of course, was absolutely central to London's economy and society at this time. The barges suggest the labor involved in extracting and transporting this essential fuel. Note the repetition of the boats, underscoring the scale of this industry. The etching technique, with its fine lines and tonal gradations, is well suited to capturing the industrial atmosphere, and the reflections on the water. Greaves was interested in depicting everyday life, a contrast to the traditional subjects of fine art. By focusing on the working river and the infrastructure of coal delivery, Greaves elevated the ordinary, asking us to consider the social and economic forces that shaped his world.