River Scene with Jetty 

Richard Jack’s painting, ‘River Scene with Jetty,’ likely dating from the late 19th or early 20th century, presents a tranquil landscape rendered in oil on canvas, a thoroughly conventional fine art medium. Yet, the scene depicts a working waterfront, one where boats aren’t simply picturesque additions but rather integral to the local economy. The materiality of the painting itself enhances this narrative. Notice how Jack’s brushstrokes aren’t overly refined; they possess a certain roughness, mirroring the labor-intensive activities of the figures depicted on the jetty. The artist's focus on the weight and texture of the natural world, as well as the modest boats, underscores the inherent connection between human activity and the environment, hinting at the social reality of working-class people. The painting serves as a reminder of the value found in the everyday, and challenges the notion of separating art from the sphere of ordinary life.