Getting Ready for Fishing 1887

"Getting Ready for Fishing" is a photogravure by Peter Henry Emerson, taken in 1887, depicting a fishing boat being prepared for sea. The photograph showcases Emerson's embrace of naturalism, a photographic movement emphasizing the direct representation of reality without artistic manipulation. This work exemplifies the movement with its focus on capturing the everyday life of fishermen, with a detailed depiction of the boat's construction and its surroundings. The photograph, currently housed in The Art Institute of Chicago, showcases a key aspect of Emerson's artistic approach - a dedication to capturing the beauty and raw truth of life as it unfolds.