Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Shop, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania Possibly 1990 - 2020

James Welling made this gelatin silver print, titled Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Shop, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, in the late 20th century. This piece offers a fascinating glimpse into deindustrialization, a theme prevalent in art of this period. The image presents a stark contrast between the industrial architecture of the rail yard and the domesticity of the houses in the background. The locomotive, a symbol of American industry, is rendered in a state of quiet repose, perhaps hinting at its obsolescence. The choice of black and white adds to the sense of nostalgia and decline. McKees Rocks, once a thriving industrial hub, experienced significant economic downturn. Welling's photograph subtly comments on the social and economic shifts of his time. To fully understand the artwork, research into the history of McKees Rocks and the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad is essential. Such investigation contextualizes the photograph within the broader narrative of American industrial decline.