Three men in a dry-goods store – country store, Dolbyville 

Edwin Austin Abbey captured this watercolor, “Three Men in a Dry-Goods Store – Country Store, Dolbyville,” offering a glimpse into rural American life during the late 19th century. The artwork is filled with a quiet drama depicting a casual transaction between three men in a general store. The figures, their attire, and the store’s merchandise all speak volumes about the social hierarchy and the economic activities of the time. The white shopkeeper serving the men raises questions about race, class, and labor. The seated man’s relaxed posture on a chair, versus the other man who is seated on a stack of goods, subtly hints at socio-economic differences within the community. The dog lying on the ground in the foreground could symbolize loyalty or servitude. Abbey’s work invites us to consider the complexities of identity and the subtle nuances of daily life in a rural setting.