Alaska Seal Fisheries c. 1896 - 1900

This is James Fagan’s ‘Alaska Seal Fisheries,’ we don’t know exactly when it was made, but likely around the turn of the 20th century. It's a print, likely an etching, a process that involves biting lines into a metal plate with acid, then inking and pressing it to paper. This reproductive technique is interesting in itself. Think about the labor required to create this image, multiplied by the number of impressions pulled. In that respect, printmaking is fundamentally tied to wider issues of labor, politics, and consumption. The scene depicts the brutal business of seal hunting. Note the stark contrast between the natural environment and the industrial scale of the fishing operation. The image is not just a representation of the hunt, but also a commodity produced for mass consumption. Considering the materials, the making, and the broader context is essential to understanding this artwork's full meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.