Plate - "Steamer, Union Line" c. 1936

This striking plate, likely crafted in the late 19th century by Helmut Hiatt, captures a "Steamer, Union Line" within its decorative borders. During this time, industrialization fueled the growth of transportation networks, profoundly impacting American society. Consider the romanticism of the steamship, a symbol of progress, juxtaposed against the backdrop of complex social dynamics. Who had access to this progress? The figures on the shore, their class hinted at through their attire, gaze out at a vessel that might represent opportunity or perhaps, for some, exclusion. The ornate border of shells and foliage frames this scene, seemingly domesticating the power of the steam engine. The plate invites us to consider the intersection of industry, leisure, and representation. Think about whose stories are elevated and whose are marginalized in these seemingly simple, everyday objects. It serves as a reminder that even in our domestic spaces, we are surrounded by artifacts that perpetuate broader societal narratives.