Bound for the North River 1887

"Bound for the North River" (1887) by Peter Henry Emerson, is a quintessential example of the Pictorialist movement in photography. This platinum print, housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, captures a quiet moment on the water in a muted, hazy style. The simple composition focuses on a row of boats docked at a riverbank, a windmill in the distance, and a sign reading "Boats to Let." Emerson, a pioneer of the movement, embraced soft focus and natural light to achieve a painterly aesthetic. The photograph's intimate scale, reminiscent of a sketch, further emphasizes the artistic intentions of the artist.